BY SILAS NKALA
The Bulawayo City Council is seeking to revamp, and put up new bus stop shelters in the city amid concerns about vandalism of similar structures installed by Zupco.
Council’s town planning department said in terms of the Urban Councils Act, it was the prerogative of local authorities to provide public transport infrastructure.
“It will also be noted that currently the public transport infrastructure, especially lay-byes and bus shelters were in a state of neglect and disrepair,” reads a recent council report.
“One option was to burden the residents by levying them fees to revamp the infrastructure or council finds financial resources to attend to this infrastructure.
“There was also the option of bringing in private players to help in the revamping of this infrastructure.
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“If we bring in private players, we could devise a system where they derive mileage by flighting adverts on the bus shelters.
“This has happened in many instances.”
The report says the city will be divided into routes so that the private partners would select the routes which they were interested in.
“Therefore authority was sought from council to call in the media to call for a request for expression of interest,” the report said.
“The committee considered the matter and councillor Rodney Jele supported the call for an expression of interest in revamping and repairing of bus stop shelters.
“He was, however, concerned about lighting at night.”
“He suggested that solar lights be erected in each and every bus stop shelter.
“Councillor Frank Javangwe concurred, noting that bus stop shelters should be monitored and vending activities must not be allowed.
“The shelter should be opened on both sides.
“Councillor Silas Chigora supported the opening of bus stop shelters on all sides as these would prevent fouling and immoral activities.”
The report noted that once erected, lighting was a top priority.
However, the town planning department explained that all concerns had been noted and the designs would be reviewed and lighting added.