adminPamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
Bulawayo City Council has identified temporary sites to be used as commuter ranking facilities by transport operators and vendors operating at Basch Street Terminus, popularly known as Egodini. The relocation of transport operators and vendors would pave way for the construction of a $56 million state-of-the-art shopping complex to be constructed at Egodini this year.
According to the latest council report, kombis plying the city centre to Waterford, Burnside, Matopos and Newton West routes will use the Samuel Parirenyatwa terminus along Second Avenue, while their drop-off point will be the City Hall bays.
Those plying the route from the city centre to the National University of Science and Technology, Sunninghill, United Bulawayo Hospitals, Mahatshula, Parklands and Killarney will use the terminus at corner 6th Ave and Robert Mugabe Way, TM Hyper and the Samuel Parirenyatwa terminus with their drop-off point at the City Hall bays.
Transporters plying city centre to Woodville, Sauerstown, Queenspark East and West, Trenance, Harrisvale, Romney Park, Richmond and Barbourfields will use the terminus along Lobengula Street and 3rd Avenue.
Those plying the city centre to Cowdray Park, Luveve, Emakhandeni, Entumbane, Mpopoma and Njube routes will use the Khami Road terminus.
The Birkenhead terminus will be used by kombis plying the city centre to New Magwegwe, Magwegwe West, Magwegwe North and Pumula routes.
Kombis plying the city centre to Nkulumane 11 and 12, Nkulumane 10, Nkulumane 5, Nketa and Emganwini routes will use the Belmont terminus.
Vendors will also be relocated to the different ranking facilities.
Engineering services director, Simela Dube said the local authority had started working on refurbishing the identified sites before relocation.
“Before the new sites are occupied the city council needs to repair damaged paved surfaces, provide new ablution facilities and repair the malfunctioning ones.
“Construction and surfacing of new vending sites, demarcation of vending and loading bays must also be done,” he said.
Town Clerk, Middleton Nyoni, said council would try by all means to be vigilant, maintain order and guard against chaos during and after the relocation of vendors and transport operators.
He urged all operators to get registered to avoid clashing with council officials.
Council said it had engaged the commuter omnibus operators and vendors before identifying the new sites.
A South African engineering firm, Tearracota (Pvt) Ltd was awarded the tender by the Bulawayo City Council to convert Egodini into a regional public transport hub for local, regional minibus taxis and luxury coaches passing through the city.
The project is set to start as soon as the contractor and council sign the papers.
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