Harare Correspondent
Harare — The Harare City Council has announced plans to ban tricycle taxis from operating on the capital’s roads, citing public transport reforms outlined in its newly adopted Draft Master Plan 2025-2045.
The proposal also targets kombis for phased elimination within three years and calls for immediate action against pirate taxis.
Key Reforms
- Tricycle Taxis Banned:
The council declared three-wheeled taxis “should not be allowed to operate or move on Harare roads as public transport.” The vehicles, popular in suburbs like Mabvuku and Budiriro, currently ferry passengers from Tafara to Gazebo and as far as Mbare Musika. - Kombis and Pirate Taxis Targeted:
Kombis will be phased out over the next three years, while unregistered “pirate taxis” face an immediate ban. The council stated the moves aim to “bring sanity in the transport sector” amid rising concerns over congestion and safety.
Council’s Justification
The Draft Master Plan frames the bans as part of a broader 20-year transformative strategy;(2025–2045) to overhaul Harare’s chaotic transport network.
“These vehicles proliferate in high-density areas, undermining regulated services,” the council asserted, noting tricycles often operate without formal licensing or safety oversight.
Public Impact
Residents in affected suburbs rely heavily on tricycles for affordable transit, raising concerns about disrupted commutes. The council has yet to detail alternative transport plans but emphasized the Master Plan will prioritize “structured, efficient systems.”
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