Intercity buses picking and dropping passengers at
undesignated points have been directed to return to the different termini in
the city or risk being clamped while push cart operators and those washing cars
at parking bays have been ordered to vacate the CBD.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) said yesterday that operating
pushcarts and washing cars in the CBD is illegal hence those involved have been
given up to Friday to stop the illegal activities
Vendors that have invaded pavements and roads within the
CBD have also been given up to Friday to move to designated vending places.
The move comes at a time when the local authority is
battling lawlessness characterised by dirt, chaos and decay in the city centre.
There is rampant picking and dropping of passengers at
undesignated points by long-distance bus crews, particularly along
Bulawayo-Harare Road, Leopold Takawira Extension opposite Centenary Park and
along Bulawayo-Plumtree Road at John Love Motors.
The operators at night pick and drop passengers near
fast-food outlets in the CBD thereby causing congestion.
BCC corporate communications officer, Ms Bongiwe Ngwenya
said cross-border buses which have turned some sections of the city centre into
ranks have been allocated space at the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ)
station.
She said plans are underway for the area to be refurbished
and it will have offices for bookings and a large hall to be used as a waiting
room.
“There are also adequate ablution facilities and enough
space for public parking. Inter-city buses should return to Renkini and other
termini around the city where they used to operate from,” said Ms Ngwenya.
She said buses and kombis plying the Bulawayo-Gwanda- and
Bulawayo-Gweru-Harare- routes should operate from the Renkini Long Distance Bus
terminus.
“Those using the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls should operate
from Entumbane long-distance bus terminus while those using the
Bulawayo-Plumtree-Solusi should utilise the Nkulumane long-distance bus
terminus,” said Ms Ngwenya.
She said those plying the Cement Siding-Ntabazinduna route
will use the 1st Avenue and Samuel Parirenyatwa Street rank.
Ms Ngwenya said the council is also carrying out an
awareness campaign on the need to restore sanity in the city centre.
She said those intending to wash cars should engage those
with service stations to be allocated space.
“We also have designated sites at shopping centres and
those interested can approach the city council,” said Ms Ngwenya.
She said pushcarts are not allowed in any part of the
central business district hence they should vacate the CBD by Friday.
Driving on Bulawayo’s roads in the CBD is now a nightmare as rowdy push-cart operators, pirate taxi drivers, kombi and bus crews flagrantly flout traffic rules and regulations. Chronicle
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