Residents Demand Suspension Of "Errant" Bus Operators
The Bulawayo Bus Operators Association (BBOA) and the Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA) have both urged the government to suspend the licences of errant long-distance bus operators.
The associations accuse some bus operators of flouting traffic rules and regulations by picking up and dropping passengers at undesignated places in Bulawayo.
Many buses are using undesignated places to pick up and drop off passengers thereby causing chaos within the city centre.
Popular illegal pick-up points include Harare Road, outside Eveline High School and the Centenary Park area along Leopold Takawira and Corner Fort Street and 8th Avenue as well as the corner of Fort Street and Leopold Takawira Avenue, popularly known as Tredgold.
Last week, the government suspended the operating licences of Rimbi Tours and Zebra Kiss buses after the two bus operators caused a fatal road traffic accident in Mutoko on Tuesday.
The suspension came after a Rimbi Tours bus driver was involved in a race with a Zebra Kiss bus driver along the Harare-Nyamapanda Road leading to the death of one person and serious injuries to seven others.
Bulawayo Bus Operators Association chairperson Patrick Dube said:
The suspension of the operators’ licences was a decisive move which sent a clear message to operators flouting traffic rules and regulations and the same should happen here.
He said members of his association operate from Renkini, Entumbane Bus Terminus, Nkulumane Complex and Hamara.
Bulawayo United Residents association chairperson Winos Dube said:
The buses that are parking and picking up people at undesignated places such as Centenary Park, must have their licences withdrawn like what happened to these two bus companies.
Tshova Mubaiwa spokesperson NdabaMabunda said they are losing business to the illegal transporters and urged the police to get rid of the menace.
ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said those who continue to flout the traffic rules and regulations must be reported to the police.
He reiterated that it is illegal for bus operators to pick up or drop off passengers at undesignated places. | Chronicle
