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Amos Mpofu – [email protected]

THE United Bulawayo Taxi Association- a group of Kombi owners belonging to different public transport associations- has petitioned the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to abolish the route-sharing policy that recently came into effect.
The policy groups kombis belonging to particular association to service specific routes in the city.

For instance; Tshova Mubaiwa services Pumula, Emganwini and Nketa routes; Vuka Uzimele Trasnport Association (Vuta) plies Entumbane and Emakhandeni; Bupta services Eastern suburbs and Cowdray Park; while BCT is on the Nketa-Munyoro route.
Kombis belonging to each association must be branded and are not allowed to operate on routes where they are not authorised.
Public transporters have to belong to associations to legally do business in Bulawayo.
Eighty-one members of the association signed the petition on Thursday.

The United Bulawayo Taxi Association argue that the arrangement has detrimental effects on both the transport sector and the public.
They said if an association has the sole mandate to operate on a route, it can increase fares arbitrarily because there would be no competitors to offer a lower fare.
Mr Richard Zvidzayi, the chairperson of the association, urged the council and transport associations to retract the agreement immediately.

“We urge the City of Bulawayo and transport companies to reconsider the route-sharing policy and explore alternative solutions that promote competition, improve service quality, and protect the interests of both operators and commuters,” Mr Zvidzayi said.
“We demand the immediate reversal of the route-sharing policy, the implementation of measures to promote fair competition among transport operators, and the protection of the rights and interests of individual transport operators.”
The group said the transport policy in Bulawayo lacks clarity on who holds the authority regarding route-sharing, asserting that neither the City of Bulawayo nor public transport providers should monopolise this practice.

They also highlighted that route-sharing has led to unjust fare impositions, saying, “Route sharing leads to arbitrary fare increases that do not reflect the actual economic conditions. This practice puts an undue burden on commuters and fails to address the underlying issues in the transportation industry.”
Furthermore, the taxi owners argued that the route-sharing policy diminishes competition, resulting in a decline in service quality and stifling modernism. They expressed concerns that it promotes monopolistic practices, restricting the freedom of individual operators and hindering the development of a diverse transport sector.
Branding challenges was also a point of contention in the petition. The group noted that forced branding practices imposed on transport operators are both costly and detrimental to the value of their vehicles. They argued that these practices compromise the originality and individuality of transport businesses.

Moreover, the taxi owners highlighted that the policy could lead to a deterioration in service quality. Drivers and conductors assigned to unfamiliar routes may deliver subpar service due to their lack of knowledge about the areas and communities they serve, which ultimately results in reduced passenger satisfaction.
The petitioners asserted that the route-sharing policy infringes upon ownership rights, dictating how transport operators should manage their vehicles and businesses. They emphasised that the policy fails to effectively address industry challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, traffic congestion, and regulatory inefficiencies.
The group expressed concern that, in the long run, the route-sharing arrangement could incite conflicts among taxi operators. “Only the branded kombis for that route are allowed; what happens if the kombi is on private hire? What happens if the owner is in private business? This will inevitably lead to blockages and physical confrontations, causing taxi wars that disrupt the order and peace of our communities,” they said.

In a collective plea to local authorities, they stated, “As the owners of the vehicles transport, we urge you to listen to our grievances and implement our suggestions.
“We should not be side-lined in the transport industry in Bulawayo (thina njengabanikazi bezimota sicelani ukuthi lisizwe, lisilalele izikhalazo zethu, linganikezi amaPowers to certain individuals ukuthi bebuse itransport industry koBulawayo. Sicela kube lamanye amaCompanies kutransport industry, lingathi sekugcwele njengoba uBulawayo ekhula. Siyabonga.)”

The United Bulawayo Taxi Association is calling for urgent attention from city leaders to address these pressing issues, which they believe affect not only operators but the wider community as well