Nkosentsha Khumalo
In an effort to legitimize and formalize operations, the fourth kombi owners Association, who had been navigating the perilous waters of illegal transportation on Sixth Avenue in Bulawayo who banded together to form Vuka Uzimele Transport Association (VUTA), have been granted permission to operate.
Many of the kombis now operating under VUTA’s umbrella were and are still notorious for running amok along Sixth Avenue in Bulawayo, disregarding traffic laws and causing chaos in the bustling CBD.
These erstwhile outlaws, who were known for blocking roads and creating havoc in the crowded 6th Avenue, made the decision to legitimize their operations and formalize their Association, a significant step towards enhancing public transport safety and regulation in the city.
The inclusion of VUTA as the fourth public transport operator in Bulawayo was the subject of a lively debate among City Councillors during the latest full Council meeting.
While some Councillors applauded the proposed expansion of transport options, others expressed misgivings about VUTA’s adherence to public transport policy, by-laws and customer care.
The hot-button issues of straying donkeys, Honda Fit operators, and public transport operators failing to utilize Egodini facilities were also brought up.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has approved VUTA as the fourth public transport operator in the Central Business District, marking a significant step towards enhancing public transport safety and regulations.
The City Council’s recent approval of VUTA’s application to join the ranks of public transport operators in the CBD marks a significant turning point for the Association, which had previously been plagued by allegations of traffic law violations and Council by-law breaches, including the potentially hazardous and illegal practice of offloading passengers at unapproved sites within the city.
While VUTA’s previous actions had caused concern over their commitment to upholding the rules and regulations governing public transport, their approved application demonstrates that the association has to make amends and rectify these issues and prioritise the safety and security of commuters and citizens alike.
This approval has marred the City Council’s resolve in maintaining a well managed and safe public transport system within the CBD, and sets a positive precedent for future collaborations between local authorities and transportation associations.
Addressing these issues was a top priority for the Bulawayo City Council, as highlighted in a recent council meeting, where Mayor, His Worship Senator David Coltart acknowledged the strides made by VUTA to rectify their previous non-compliant behavior.
While VUTA’s approved application represents a promising step towards enhancing public transport safety and regulations in the CBD, ongoing investigations have raised concerns about the association’s commitment to complying with traffic laws and Council by-laws.
The City Council and local authorities continue to monitor the situation, this which emphasizes the importance of responsible and law-abiding conduct among public transport operators in Bulawayo
Bulawayo Mayor, Senator Coltart highlighted that VUTA needs to be considered to operate as a fourth public transport operator in Bulawayo, stating that this would create competition amongst public transport operators, which according to him, is a very good move.
He said competition would lower fares, in most cases monopolies increased prices/ fares.
The Mayor noted that there was a need to establish few markets which could only operate effectively when there is rule of law.
Senator Coltart also noted that public transport operators were undermining Egodini Commuter Omnibus terminus as most of these operators preferred to pick and drop off passengers at undesignated areas..
This, the Mayor said would soon come to an end as council is currently coming up with several strategies to enforce public transport by-laws.
“More security personnel would be deployed to all illegal pick up and drop off areas. Joint operations would also increase. The major challenge is lack of arresting powers by the City Council.
Coltart supported the 4th Association VUTA to be allowed to operate in the City.
The Councillors representing Cowdray Park Wards felt that 2 operators should be allowed to ply the Cowdray Park routes.
It was noted that all Public transport Operators should adhere to the Public transport policy and relevant by-laws so as to be considered to operate.
Cllr A. R. Moyo explained that the application was being supported.
He explained that effective enforcement was needed as it was also very clear that Cowdray Park needed 2 Public transport operators.
Cllr. A. Mhlanga supported the application, stating that such efforts were a welcome development inline with the public transport policy.
He noted that the City has big areas such as Cowdray Park which need to be covered by more than just one public transport association.
Cllr N. Ndlovu also concurred that Cowdray Park is a very big suburb and the current public transport operators had failed to fully service it.
It was noted that the current public transport association servicing the area was shifting passengers from one vehicle to another at a spot called “Border Post” in Cowdray Park. The residents did not support this, as many had lost their valuables, goods and luggage.
VUTA had engaged Cowdray Park residents’ and identified other routes within the area.
Cllr A. Ndlovu spoke about the issues of compliance and adherence to by-laws.
He supported VUTA to be the 4th Public Transport Association in the
City, stating that competition was very healthy as it brought about good service.
He raised concern on the Public transport operators operating outside Egodini as well as the picking and dropping off passengers at undesignated places.
Cllr E. Ndlovu was in support of the 4th Public transport operator to be allowed in the City.
In his view Cowdray Park is a very big area which would soon be given a Satellite City Status, therefore it would be prudent to divide the area and have 2 Public transport operators.
Councillor Sandra Ndebele Sibindi noted that there were currently 3 Public transport operators providing public transport in the City.
“So far these 3 Associations provided a good service.
“The Associations were ploughing back to the community through providing free transport for mourners during burials.”
“The 4th Public transport VUTA is welcome in the City provided the Association would adhere to the transport policy and other relevant by-laws.”
Cllr. Siboniso Moyo complained about Honda Fits (Mshikashika) which had also become a nuisance in the City, stressing that these vehicles were loading and offloading passengers in every street corner.
She called on Council to engage owners of these vehicles and establish a way forward.
“Why are public transport operators not utilising the Egodini Commuter Omnibus terminus facilities?
Cllr Mxolisi Mahlangu concurred that the enforcement of by-laws in the City was very poor, revealing that public transport in the City was not properly regulated.
“The residents are at risk of being involved in traffic accidents.”
Meanwhile Councillor K. Ndlovu did not support the application, however noting that VUTA was already illegally operating in Bulawayo.
“The association was formed by operators who used to operate from undesignated pick up and drop off points. VUTA crews have no customer care.”
She felt that it would be difficult for this Association to abide by the Public transport policy and also adhere to Council by-laws.
This ascertion is true as Zim GBC News crews previously was confronted by VUTA members at 6th Avenue as they covered their illicit operations.
Councillor Donaldson Mabuto concurred that the report was very clear that VUTA`s operations needed to be closely monitored.
“VUTA was involved in acts of violence. The association did not adhere to Councils public transport policy and by-laws. Most of VUTAs fleet was loading passengers from undesignated areas i.e 6th
Avenue, Food 4 less and other areas in the C.B.D. This application should not be supported.”
Cllr N. Khumalo was not in faviur of the VUTA application, noting that the applying association VUTA had continued to pick and drop off passengers from
undesignated areas.
She called on VUTA to adhere to the relevant policies and bylaws for their application to be considered.
Ward 26 Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo noted that most of the concerns raised would be dealt with in the service level agreement.
VUTA’s Application to operate as the fourth public transport operator was eventually approved.
It was resolved that that the recommendation of the Town Lands and Planning Committee be adopted.
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