The City of Bulawayo wishes to advise residents and stakeholders that as a Local Authority we issue permits to Commuter Omnibus operators in line with the existing Public Policy and Acts of Parliament.

• Requisite Laws and Policies used.

The City of Bulawayo issues permits in line with;

1. Road Motor Transportation Act [Chapter 13:15], Part III – Operation of goods vehicles and passenger transport services which stipulates that;

7. Requirements for operation of goods vehicles or passenger transport services;

(1) Subject to this Act, no person shall operate —
a) A goods vehicle on any road; or
(b) A passenger transport service on any road; unless —

• He is the holder of an operator’s licence authorizing the operation or service concerned; and
• Where he is operating a stage carriage service, he is the holder of a route authority issued in respect of that service; and
• The goods vehicle which is being operated, or every vehicle with which the passenger transport service is being operated, as the case may be, is registered and licensed in terms of the Vehicle Act; and
• There is a valid certificate of fitness in respect of the vehicle.

2. Statutory Instrument 213A of 2022, Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (No.2) (Amendment) Order, 2022 (No.43).

THE Minister of Health has, in terms of Section 8(1) of the Public Health ( COVID -19, Prevention, Containment and Treatment) Regulations, 2020 ( published in Statutory Instrument 77 of 2020), made the following Order:-

1. This order may be cited as the Public Health (COVID -19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (No.2) (amendment) Order. 2022 (No.43).
2. Transport Services, whether intracity or intercity, for the carriage of passengers shall no longer be restricted to the transport services mentioned in section 4(2) of the public Health(COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment)(National Lockdown) (No.2) Order, 2020)(“the principal order), published in Statutory Instrument 200 of 2020, and all laws within respect to the licensing of those services that were in force immediately before the commencement of the principal order shall recommence in force with immediate effect.

3. The City of Bulawayo Public Transport Policy read with the Road Motor Transportation Act further classifies as follows;

Commuter Omnibus-a passenger vehicle with a carrying capacity of not less than 12 passengers.

Metered Taxi- a public service vehicle with a seating capacity of not more than seven passengers also known as taxicab.

Operator- a person who operates a machine, instrument, for the purposes of this document an operator is a person who runs, manages a public service vehicle.

Public Service Vehicles (PSV) are vehicles that carry passengers for a fee. PSV's are separated into two categories:

• • Large Public Service Vehicle - LPSV (Vehicle capable of carrying more than eight passengers - Busses)
• • Small Public Service Vehicle - SPSVVehicles capable of carrying eight passengers or less only - Taxi')

The City of Bulawayo as a local planning authority is responsible for the management, policy formulation and implementation of policies within the City of Bulawayo. The City is responsible for ensuring that the appointed company or providers of public transport in Bulawayo are issued with permits.

The City’s Policy also outlines that no vehicle other than those of the appointed company shall be allowed to use or enter the termini or be used for Public Transportation. The recognized vehicles are as follows:-

• • Commuter omnibus (+19 Passengers)
• • Commuter Omnibus (7-19 Passengers)
• • Metered taxis
• • Driving Schools:

The City currently has recognized companies who operate in the zones outlined below.

The registration of the Public Transport operators is done every six months as per the Road Motor Transportation Act and shall be restricted to carrying the passengers as stipulated in the permit.

Date: Friday, 16 February 2024.

C. DUBE TOWN CLERK