By Staff Reporter
HARARE — The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) has accused local authorities of neglecting bus terminals and failing to modernize public transport facilities despite continuing to collect rank voucher fees from transport operators.
In a statement, PAZ national co-ordinator Tafadzwa Goliati said passengers and operators across the country were enduring deteriorating conditions at bus ranks, with little evidence of infrastructure improvements.
“As the Passengers Association of Zimbabwe, we have seen no progress from local authorities on the modernization of bus terminals and bus stops.
“Despite this, they continue to collect rank vouchers from transport operators, yet passengers and operators still lack basic facilities like shelters, toilets, bathrooms, canteens, and bus washing bays,” Goliati said.
The association also raised concern over safety conditions at bus terminals, citing the widespread use of open fires and gas cylinder stoves at ranks.
“Passengers and bus operators have also complained about the use of fire and gas cylinder stoves at the ranks.
This means rank by-laws are no longer being enforced by municipal police and the ZRP,” said Goliati.
He warned that the continued use of fire and gas cylinders at crowded transport hubs posed a serious safety threat to commuters and public transport vehicles.
“Local authorities have been engaged about the use of fire and gas cylinders at the terminals, which poses a danger to passengers and buses,” he said.
PAZ said sanitation and lighting infrastructure at many bus termini had collapsed, with some public toilets reportedly operating without running water while others had become unusable altogether.
“Most bus terminal toilets have no running water, and some are no longer functioning. Public lights are also out, and these areas have become dumping sites,” Goliati said.
The association accused councils of failing to fulfil their obligations to both commuters and transport operators despite daily revenue collections from rank fees.
“There is no justification for this. It shows that local authorities are neglecting their responsibilities and failing to serve the passengers and transport operators who are key stakeholders,” he said.
“We need order at bus terminals throughout the country, just as there is at airports.”
PAZ has since appealed to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to intervene and compel local authorities to improve conditions at bus ranks nationwide.
“As important stakeholders, we are appealing to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to urgently address the situation and direct local authorities to take their responsibilities seriously.
“Transport operators are paying bus vouchers daily, and their needs must be met,” Goliati said.
