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Freedom Mupanedemo–Midlands Bureau

The new-look Kudzanai long distance bus terminus in Gweru opened to public and long distance buses yesterday after being closed for over a year to allow for a major upgrade.

Gweru City Council entered into  a partnership with a private contractor, Bentach Resources, which gave the terminus a major facelift that resonates well with Government’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), that champions infrastructure development in line with Vision 2030 of achieving an upper middle class economy.

Construction works at the terminus were completed last month, but it remained closed due to Covid-19 regulations which banned intercity movements.

President Mnangagwa reviewed the lockdown regulations on Tuesday from Level 4 to Level 2, which has since allowed intercity movement, extended business hours and the extended starting time for the curfew.

Bentach Resources projects manager, Mr David Kudakwashe, said the new terminus was opened to the public yesterday.

“We have opened the terminus to the public and buses following an announcement by His Excellency President Mnangagwa that the country was moving to Level 2 lockdown,” he said. 

“The turn out on the first day was, however, still very low and we will be engaging the local authority on how best to compel the buses to use the terminus as we move towards smart city status.” 

Mr Kudakwashe said some checks revealed that a vast majority of buses were using undesignated pick-up and drop-off points. 

They have since held a meeting with Gweru City Council to ensure enforcement of by-laws.

Mr Kudakwashe said the re-opening of the upgraded terminus sees Gweru City moving away from an era where touts were left to harass passengers at undesignated points.

The terminus has its own rank marshals who assist passengers as opposed to the touts who terrorise passengers.

“On top of the rank marshals who have uniforms for identification, the terminus is clearly labelled and passengers don’t need to ask around on where to get the buses or commuter omnibuses to their destination,” he said.

Even push cart operators have been registered to ensure order, and help passengers track their property or luggage in case it gets lost.

Long distance bus operators pay $1 500 for using bays, while those with cross-border buses fork out $2 000.