The City of Harare has attributed the rise in congestion levels in the Central Business District, particularly during morning and evening peak periods, to buses and commuter omnibuses picking up and dropping off passengers at undesignated points.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 22, Town Clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo reminded stakeholders that such activities by public passenger vehicles are strictly prohibited.
Moyo said that some kombis and buses park on the streets, blocking lanes and causing congestion. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
In an effort to reduce congestion, Council would like to advise public transport operators along Sam Nunjoma (Second Street) that with immediate effect, they must use Coventry Road Rank and Mbare Musika.
All buses destined for Bulawayo that are illegally picking up passengers from the Showgrounds or along Samora Machel Avenue must use Mbare Musika and Coventry Road Bus Rank.
</blockquote>
Moyo also said Market Square, Charge Office, Copacabana, S. Muzenda (4th Street), and Rezende North are the primary commuter omnibus termini designated for use by registered public transport operators. He added:
<blockquote>
All the picking up and dropping points that were established by ZUPCO during the COVID era are no longer operational.
All registered and licenced operators and Commuter Omnibus Associations are being advised to revert to their original operating termini as per permits issued by City of Harare.
Public passenger vehicles are expected to be registered by the relevant authorities that include City of Harare and Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development. The permits issued are clear on the ranks, routes and time-tables to be used.
Given the above, the City of Harare wishes to inform residents, public transport operators and stakeholders that we have launched a massive enforcement operation to rid the city of congestion.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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The City of Harare is trying to reduce traffic jams in the CBD by cracking down on rogue kombi operators. These operators are illegally picking up and dropping off passengers, blocking lanes and causing congestion. The Town Clerk said that kombis and buses must use designated ranks and termini to operate. All registered public transport operators are advised to follow the rules and revert to their original operating termini. The City of Harare has launched an enforcement operation to control the congestion. Residents and stakeholders are urged to comply with the regulations to ease traffic congestion in the city.

Crackdown On Rogue Kombi Operators To Ease Traffic Congestion In Harare CBD

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona said the government is exploring a project to introduce tram systems in major Zimbabwean cities as a long-term solution to address traffic congestion.
Trams are electric-powered streetcars running on fixed rail tracks, providing an efficient urban transit option. 
During a recent question-and-answer session in the National Assembly, Mhona said tram systems will provide a more effective public transportation infrastructure for commuters. He said (via <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/government-mulls-trams-as-part-of-bold-plan-to-tame-traffic-chaos/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>):
<blockquote>
As Government and Public Works that work with the local authorities, they oversee urban transport systems to provide efficient transport. Right now, we have plans to ensure that we get bigger buses to provide transport to the people.
So, our long-term plan is to provide trams that are like small trains. We have the railway lines, that will provide transport to people in Mabvuku, Norton and Chitungwiza.
This will be easy for people who may want to leave their vehicles and use those public transport systems. So, that plan is not a very long-term plan. It will be used very soon.
</blockquote>
However, Mhona did not provide details on the feasibility and modalities of implementing the tram system in Zimbabwe.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe is thinking about adding trams in big cities to help with traffic jams. Trams are like small trains that run on electric power. The government wants to improve public transportation with trams. Minister Mhona mentioned plans to have trams in Mabvuku, Norton, and Chitungwiza. This will make it easier for people to leave their cars and use public transportation. But, they didn't say how they will make this happen yet. Trams could be a solution to the traffic problems faced by Zimbabwean cities.

Zimbabwe Considers Trams As A Solution To Urban Traffic Woes

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has announced the temporary closure of a major road in Harare to facilitate the construction of a dual carriageway.
In a statement, the Ministry said Sam Nujoma Extension (formerly Golden Stairs Road) will be closed from Nemakonde Way to Harare Drive, effective midnight on 7 June 2024, to June 30 2024.
Motorists approaching Harare Drive from Mazowe-Bindura Road have been advised to use detour routes.
The Chase Road, Twickenham Drive, Pendennis Road, and Upper East Road will not be affected by the works that will be done by Exodus &amp; Company and Ncube Burrow. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development advises the motoring public that Sam Nujoma Extension (formerly Golden Stairs Road) will be closed from Nemakonde Way to Harare Drive, effective 7 June 2024, at 0000hrs until June 30 2024.
This closure is to facilitate the construction of a dual carriageway by Exodus &amp; Company and Ncube Burrow, the contractors for the Harare-Mvurwi-Guruve-Kanyemba Road project.
During this period, motorists approaching Harare Drive from Mazowe-Bindura Road are urged to use the following detour routes:
<ul>
<li>Harare Drive – Alpes Road – Churchill Avenue – E.D. Mnangagwa Road – Robert Mugabe Road</li>
<li>Harare Drive – Alpes Road – Churchill Avenue – Sam Nujoma Street – East Road – Cork Road – Leopold Takawira Street</li>
</ul>
Traffic originating from the CBD destined for Mazowe should use the following detour routes:
<ul>
<li>Samora Machel Avenue – E.D. Mnangagwa Road – Churchill Avenue – College/Alpes Road Harare Drive</li>
<li>Leopold Takawira Street – Cork Road – East Road Sam Nujoma Street – Churchill Avenue – College/Alpes Road – Harare Drive.</li>
</ul>
The following roads will remain open for localised traffic:
<ul>
<li>The Chase Road</li>
<li>Twickenham Drive</li>
<li>Pendennis Road</li>
<li>Upper East Road.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

More Disruptions For Harare Motorists As Govt Closes Major Road

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbara Rwodzi, said that Zimbabwe will engage South Africa to speed up the processing of travellers between the two countries during peak periods.
This comes after thousands of travellers were forced to wait for their buses on the Zimbabwean side of the Beitbridge Border Post because they were caught up in traffic jams on the South African side in the past few days.
Speaking on Sunday during a visit to Beitdridge town, Rwodzi said there is a need for the two countries to engage each other during peak periods to ensure there is seamless travel for visitors on both sides of the border. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200021378/zim-to-engage-sa-over-beitbridge-border-chaos">NewsDay</a> quoted Rwodzi as saying:
<blockquote>
Our Zimbabwean side is okay and officials have cleared all people here. They are waiting for their buses and vehicles caught up in traffic jams on the SA side. Travellers have indicated they are waiting for their transport.
We will in future engage our counterparts in SA to see how we can speed up movement, and make it seamless.
I am happy that facilities by Zimborders have enabled fast movements on our side.
I am told the average per day has been around 20 000 people a day and we expect 25 000 today [Sunday].
</blockquote>
Rwodzi spoke to travellers at the border and distributed water and various goodies to children and adults alike.
Beitbridge Border Post, which is Zimbabwe’s busiest port of entry, handles approximately 300 buses, 2 000 commercial trucks, 3 000 light vehicles, and 20 000 travellers daily.
During holiday periods, these numbers can triple, resulting in even higher traffic volumes.
During this 2023 festive period, authorities are urging motorists to exercise caution, maintain safe following distances, and be vigilant of pedestrians at all times.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zim To Engage SA Over Beitbridge Border Traffic Jam - Minister Rwodzi

The Zimbabwe Republic Police and the City of Harare on Wednesday, 12 April launched joint operations to curb traffic congestion at all major intersections during peak hours.
This will involve the full-time deployment of police officers at intersections with faulty traffic signals as a clampdown on Mushikashika (pirate taxis) and restoration of order at bus terminuses in the CBD.
A statement issued by the Office of the President and Cabinet on 12 April 2023 titled “PUBLIC OUTCRY OVER TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND RECKLESS DRIVING”, reads:
<blockquote>
The Secretary of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, Mr. Tafadzwa Muguti today held a meeting with all Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies involved in roads administration and traffic law enforcement.
The meeting follows numerous complaints from residents over frustrating traffic jams and reckless drivers who tend to drive on pavements and oncoming traffic.
There is a standing cabinet directive on the Decongestion of the City of Harare. Please be advised that guided by the standing guidelines of the Inter-Ministerial committee the Secretary of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution has herein directed the following be implemented immediately in Harare Metropolitan Province in order to address the ongoing challenges on our roads;
1. All commuter omnibus operators to get a valid rank permit that will allow them to operate from their designated bus ranks and within operational times. The City of Harare will publish the designated official bus termini in the City. All passengers ought to respect and board their buses from these designated points;
2. A digital database of all commuter omnibus operators is to be implemented as part of the Local Authority Digital System (LADS). This will include digital payments collections of fines and fees whilst the Zimbabwe Republic Police shall utilise the system to verify the roadworthiness of vehicles, outstanding warrants on drivers, outstanding tickets and any other listed offences of drivers. Phase two shall include all other motorists;
3. All unlicensed and unroadworthy vehicles to be impounded and compliance protocols to be enforced at operator’s cost. This includes those operating with yellow plates and mushikashika;
4. All drivers guilty of reckless and dangerous driving are to be arrested on the spot and taken to court within the statutory 48 Hrs. This includes those driving on oncoming traffic, driving on pavements and those who deliberately create additional lanes by encroaching cycle tracks and pedestrian walkways;
5. All vehicles which have fitted extra lighting that is not permitted by the law shall have their vehicles impounded. These include those who have installed blue, red, green or yellow security and emergency reserved lights illegally on their vehicles.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police and the City of Harare shall from today launch joint operations to curb traffic jams at all major intersections during peak hours, whilst intersections with faulty traffic signals shall have full-time deployments.
We shall continue to engage all stakeholders to ensure that we promote a trafficable and safe environment for our citizens.
This will include redesigning our entire traffic system in the City of Harare in order to support the ever-growing vehicle population.
Harare Metropolitan Province has a Zero Tolerance Policy on Lawlessness and Corruption. We urge all drivers to please respect the traffic laws of Zimbabwe and other motorists so as to avoid arrest and further inconveniences.
Please stand guided accordingly.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZRP, City Of Harare Launch Joint Operation To Curb Traffic Congestion

Police have warned motorists travelling along the Harare-Bulawayo highway that the road has been blocked by a petrol-laden haulage truck trailer near Karina fuel service station in Norton.
In a statement, ZRP has advised motorists to use alternative routes and the diversion roads created in order to clear the blockage. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
The ZRP reports a road traffic in On Christcident which occurred on 25/12/22 at around 0745 hours at the 39 km peg along Harare –Bulawayo Road, Near Karina Garage Norton.
The second trailer of a petrol tanker, with 24 000 litres of petrol, unhooked leading to road blockage.
The Police, Fire Brigade, Vehicle Examination Department and Environmental Management Agency are at the scene clearing the road.
Motorists travelling along Bulawayo-Harare towards Norton, are advised to use alternative routes and the diversion roads created in order to clear the blockage.
Drivers are urged to cooperate with police officers controlling traffic at the scene as movements are slow.
</blockquote>

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