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Jacqueline Ntaka 

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, is set to reopen its newly renovated Egodini terminus, which serves as the main hub for commuter omnibuses and informal traders. The terminus, which was closed in 2018 for a multimillion-dollar upgrade, is expected to accommodate more than 15,000 commuters and 300 vendors daily. 

The reopening of Egodini is a welcome development for the city, which has been struggling with traffic congestion, pollution, and poor service delivery in the public transport sector. However, the terminus alone is not enough to solve the city’s transport woes. There is a need for more investment and innovation in information and communication technology (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of public transport in Bulawayo.

ICT and AI are transforming the world of public transport, offering new possibilities and tools for planning, managing, and operating transport systems. By applying ICT and AI to the public transport sector in Bulawayo, the city council can achieve many benefits. 

By analysing historical and real-time data, AI algorithms can predict the demand for specific routes and adjust schedules and resources accordingly. This can reduce waiting times, overcrowding, and operational costs, as well as increase customer satisfaction and revenue. ICT and AI can also help the city council to design and implement integrated and multimodal transport networks, which can offer more choices and convenience for commuters. For example, in Singapore, the Land Transport Authority uses AI to optimise bus routes and frequencies based on passenger demand and traffic conditions. In Helsinki, Finland, the Whim app allows users to plan and pay for trips across different modes of transport, such as buses, trains, taxis, and bikes.

The council may make sure that public transportation is safe and dependable by employing ICT and AI to monitor and regulate the performance and state of cars and drivers. The city council can also benefit from ICT and AI in terms of staff and vehicle deployment and allocation, as well as in terms of driver and operator training and feedback. To keep an eye on the condition of its buses and trains and to identify and fix problems before they cause delays, Transport for London, for instance, employs artificial intelligence. The Nobina bus firm in Stockholm, Sweden, employs AI to analyse driver behaviour and offer coaching and incentives to encourage safer and more effective driving.

The city council can also improve the quality and accessibility of public transport services by using ICT and AI to provide accurate and timely information and feedback to commuters. Additionally, ICT and AI can help the city council provide individualised and tailored services, such as dynamic pricing, loyalty programs, and on-demand services, which can boost customer loyalty and retention. For example, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York, USA, utilise AI to give subway riders real-time information and alerts via mobile apps and digital screens. Jelbi App allows users in Berlin, Germany, to access and pay for a variety of mobility services, including public transport, car-sharing, bike-sharing, and e-scooters.

By using ICT and AI to reduce emissions, noise, and energy consumption, the city council can improve the environmental and health impacts of public transport. ICT and AI can also help the city council to address the social and economic needs of the community, such as providing affordable and inclusive transport options, creating employment opportunities, and supporting local businesses. For example, in Paris, France, the RATP Group uses AI to optimise the energy consumption of its metro trains and to reduce its carbon footprint. In Bogota, Colombia, the TransMilenio bus rapid transit system uses ICT to provide low-cost and high-quality transport services to millions of people, especially those from low-income areas.

Indeed, ICT and AI have a lot to offer to improve public transport in Bulawayo, and the city council should seize this opportunity to leverage these technologies in its transport policies and strategies. By doing so, the city council can not only enhance the efficiency and quality of public transport but also contribute to the development and well-being of the city and its citizens.

λ Jacqueline Ntaka is the CEO of Mviyo Technologies, a local tech company that provides custom software development, mobile applications, and data analytics solutions. She can be contacted at [email protected].