Bothwell Chabarika
Transport operators at Copa Cabana bus terminus in Harare Central Business District have urged Harare City Council to put in place a conducive environment for operators to carry out their mandate without any challenges.
This came after a move made by the city council at Copa Cabana bus terminus where the local authority erected boulders in a bid to manage traffic at Copa Cabana Bus Terminus – a move which is being questioned by operators.
The development at Copa Cobana is affecting the flow of traffic along Chinhoyi Street, Jason Moyo Avenue, Cameroon Street and even as far as Samora Michael Avenue roads which are now subjected to heavy traffic blockage especially during peak hours.
ZUDCO Commuter Services President, Fradrick Maguramhinga expressed his concern over the issue at Copa Cabana, the busiest terminus in town saying despite the fact that they held several meetings with the council in a bid to address the issues and challenges affecting the operators, the city council decided to’ ignore’ the ideas being brought forward only to erect such boulders which are now a burden to motorists using roads linked to Chinhoyi Street.
“We are not fighting the council but the problem is that despite the number of meetings we held with them trying to address issues affecting the transport operators especially those who use the Copa Cabana Terminus, they have decided to ignore our voices and went on to erect these boulders which are now a menace to everyone using the Chinhoyi Street.
We suggested that there must be a bus lane which runs from Samora Michael Avenue along Chinhoyi Street that will allow operators to easily drop their passengers as they move towards the terminus to avoid congestion at the offloading bay but they decided to ignore our concerns and suggestions,”said Maguramhinga.
He suggested that the terminus must have various entrances and also put in place a system that manages the funds generated at the terminus without giving a room for corruption and fraud.
Chinhoyi street has now became a nightmare for motorists during peak hours and the rate of traffic offences and accidents has increased during the past two weeks.
Kombi drivers are piling up at the new entrance of the bus terminus as they tussle to access the terminus first. This has seen many kombis being damaged from every sides as drivers squeeze through.
“We now fear for our kombis being damaged by other drivers during the pressure of entering the terminus. Some drivers are not as good and others are just careless and unreasonable so they just push to get access to the terminus without considering the damage they are causing to the vehicles next to them. May the city council help us by creating many access points because one access point cannot cater for such a number of kombis and busses,” lamented one operator.
Pedestrians are also finding it difficult to maneuver through the ‘locked’ vehicles putting them at high risk of being ran over by moving vehicles approaching the terminus entrance.
No comment could be obtained from the local authority.