The EGODINI bus station will reopen tomorrow after an eight-year closure for rehabilitation after the South Africa-based contractor, Terracotta Trading Private Limited, completed the first phase of works.
The project has stalled over the years in its completion due to a number of challenges, the most significant of which are the coronavirus lockdown and the failure of the local authority to integrate the entire site because it does not have some of the facilities included. In the project.
The once vibrant transport hub, also known as Bash Street Station, which has fallen into disrepair, is now ready to regain its place as a vital link in the city’s transport network. It will also ease congestion in the city center as commuter buses now use several illegal pickup points in the CBD. City Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, confirmed yesterday that the project would reopen to omnibuses tomorrow, with informal traders expected to begin trading during the week.
Vendors are lining up to formalize their occupation of the Egodini restaurant, which opens tomorrow
“The City of Bulawayo would like to inform members of the public that the redevelopment of Phase 1A (taxi rank and informal trading kiosks) of the Egodini Mall project has been completed. Passenger transport will commence from Egodini on Monday 5 February 2024. There will be two pedestrian access points to Egodini; along Lobengula Street between Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue and along Eighth Avenue between Lobengula Street and Basch Street.
The routes to be served from Igodini will be Cowdray Park, Luffe, Entumbane, Emkhandini, Guabalanda, Mpopoma, Magwegwe, Magwegwe North, Magwegwe West, Mpilo, United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), Barbourfields, Mzilikazi, Old Pumula, Pumula North, Nkulumani 5 and 10 11 and 12, Lovendale, Bumula South, Imthunzeni, Imganwini, Rangmore, Mbundane and Nkita 9.
Commenting on the reopening, one of Terracotta’s directors, Mr Thulani Moyo, revealed this
The response from informal traders interested in working at the station has been overwhelming.
“What we have been doing since last year is we have been asking informal traders to do this First come and register at our call center,
We then contacted them to come and apply for a place.
“However, as per our agreement, we gave first preference to those who were working in Igodini before its closure, and now this process has been completed, some have accepted the offer, some have not. Now, we are in the process of allocating the first 400 areas that will operate in the first row, and we expect them to start working.” In the same week that the omnibuses start operating, although I cannot give a specific day, but the process is progressing well, visit our call center now and you will see people there making their payments,” said Mr. Moyo.
He said 1,200 informal traders would be accommodated at the station.
“Traders who will not be included in this first batch of 400 should not despair as the allocation is being done in phases, after this batch we will move to the second row where 400 bays will be allocated and finally the final phase will see another 400 being allocated. However, I must stress that we Delighted to have completed this first phase of the project, we are now moving on to the other phases of the project so that we can deliver world-class innovation to Bulawayo, while helping to create jobs. “And also contributing to the city’s GDP,” Mr Moyo said.
Local residents, who have long longed for the return of a fully operational transport hub, expressed their relief. Hoping for the comfort and efficiency that Egodini once offered.
“It has been a long time coming, but we are thrilled to see Igodini finally opening its doors to the public again,” said Bulawayo United Residents Association President, Mr Winus Dube.
When completed, the project is expected to include inter-city and cross-border buses, food outlets, a shopping mall and more. The shopping center is located in the second phase of the project. Sunday news
