The Coventry Road Commuter Omnibus Holding Bay was officially opened Friday with Harare officials warning that commuter buses would be banished from the city if operators do not utilize the facility, aimed at decongesting the central business district.
Environmental management committee chairman, Councilor Chris Mbanga, urged operators to co-operate with council as it moves to bring sanity back to the city.
City Mayor Benard Manyenyeni said the bay, which can hold more than 700 kombis, is the first of many which the city plans to construct to cater for commuter traffic from all suburbs in the city and places likes Chitungwiza.
This, he said, would bring decency in the central business district. Businesses have been fleeing congestion in the district.
Manyenyeni said he wants business to thrive in the city with consumers and others not fearing to be trapped in unnecessary traffic jams.
Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister, Christopher Mutsvanga, said the traffic chaos in the city is not befitting of a city like Harare, adding efforts to decongest the city were commendable.
He said as the city plans to introduce a mass transit transport system, it must also include the commuter omnibus operators in the planning process.
A representative of the commuter omnibus operators, Shem Mberi, said they would co-operate with council in its endeavors to decongest the city.
Under the arrangement, kombis from the southern suburbs will drop passengers at the Copacabana Terminus and proceed to the holding bay where they will be called to pick passengers to their various destinations through radio communications.