Govt Approves Measures To Tackle Traffic Congestion
Cabinet has approved the recommendations that were made by the inter-ministerial committee set up a week ago to tackle road congestion in urban areas, particularly in Harare Metropolitan Province.
Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa revealed some of the measures that Cabinet adopted.
They include working on the seriously congested Mbudzi Roundabout in south Harare and the importation of 667 buses to boost the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) fleet, and providing dedicated bus lanes and renovating terminuses.
It will also entail said eliminating the pirate kombis and mushikashika, repairing urgently critical non-functioning traffic lights, improving traffic control at congested junctions, repairing road surfaces at junctions and putting in kerbs to prevent U-turns. Said Mutsvangwa:
Mbudzi Roundabout is one of the most chaotic roundabouts in the country where immediate decisive action needs to be taken.
It is reported that while the plan is to construct the junction once rehabilitation of Harare-Beitbridge Road has been completed, the emergency works will be undertaken to tie in with the overall plan.
As part of the upgrade of public transport, it was agreed that Treasury would avail funding.
Councils are also encouraged to ensure that terminus facilities are spruced up so that they are not shunned by both transporters and commuters.
Cabinet resolved to support the urgent procurement or hire of an additional 667 buses to enable Zupco to provide a more efficient service to all high-density suburbs.
Zupco is going to revive traditional bus routes, using designated bus stops, adhering to the stipulated bus timetable, and improving the electronic payment system.
Mutsvangwa added that there will be the repair of non-functioning traffic management signals, deployment of traffic management systems and police, and the generation of number plates.
There would be joint operations between the Police and Municipal Traffic Police at intersections, and the municipal cops will also be trained to help in the controlling of traffic.
