New parking management system de-congest Byo

TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO

The new parking management system established by Tendy Three Investments (TTI) has de-congested Bulawayo’s central business district (CBD), the city’s residents have said.

In 2020 the Bulawayo City Council awarded the parking management system tender to TTI. Under a six-year build, operate and transfer arrangement, the local authority will receive 30% of  the revenue, while TTI takes 70%.

“We have witnessed a de-congestion of the CBD  following the implementation of the city parking management system by TTI , ” Thembelani Dube, the  Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association secretary for Administration said.

He added: “In the past we used to have a lot of vehicles in the parking bays. Some of those vehicles were used for nefarious activities,” Dube said.

He said employment has been created for the youths in the city.

“Bulawayo city council is now collecting revenue through the 70:30 ratio that they agreed with TTT .  About 30 % of the revenue is being channeled towards the Bulawayo City Council and if revenue is used wisely then it can also add value to the city.

“Then we also notice another advantage, which is the  employment of  Bulawayo youths,” he said.

However, he bemoaned high parking fees.

“The parking fees are too expensive. It is not convenient for the majority.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo councillors are advocating for TTI to expand its operations to other parts of the city in a bid to increase revenue.

According to the Bulawayo City Council, over 50 vehicles are clamped daily  for parking in undesignated areas in Bulawayo’s city centre.

During a full council meeting, Ward 22 councillor, Siboniso Khumalo, said  he was impressed by the amount that has been collected so far.

“We want the project to be spread to other areas in the city centre  as we have noticed  there is congestion in other parts of the city centre, “he said.

Ward 9 councillor Donaldson Mabutho said they should move with speed to  establish more parking bays in the city.

“If that is affected we are going to see a change in the figures that we are seeing. So, it’s my prayer that we move with speed to make sure that the 7200 bays are marked and we start collecting maximum revenue,” Mabuto said.

Figures from the latest council report show that from February 18, 2022 to April 1, 2022,  ZWL$1 692 198.60 was collected from parking fees.