Harare – The country’s busiest public transport hub, Mbare Musika Bus Terminus, is set for a long-awaited transformation under a major urban renewal project to be rolled out by the City of Harare. Officials say preliminary works are scheduled to begin within the next 30 days, with the project fully financed by City Parking, a council-owned entity.
The initiative, which follows the recent rehabilitation of Rufaro Stadium, will see the sprawling terminus upgraded into a state-of-the-art facility designed to improve commuter comfort and restore order to one of the capital’s most chaotic transport zones.
Harare City Council spokesperson, Mr Stanley Gama, confirmed that the project has already been approved by councillors and will be driven entirely by local resources without outsourcing to private contractors. “City of Harare’s urban renewal project in Mbare that started with Rufaro Stadium rehabilitation continues with Mbare Musika Bus Terminus next in line,” Gama said.
“City Parking shall finance and manage the project and provide all the necessary equipment and machinery for the construction. This is part of council’s broader strategy to use internal capacity in order to reduce costs,” he added.
According to project plans, the scope of works includes refurbishing existing facilities such as toilets, paving, boundary walls, waiting sheds, and sitting areas. The development will also feature innovative additions aligned with the city’s smart city initiative.
New passenger shelters and ticketing offices will be constructed, alongside shops built around the terminus. Electronic entry and exit boom gates, solar-powered systems, improved security technology, modern signage, landscaping, and beautification of the surrounding area are also expected to be incorporated.
“The project is expected to rejuvenate and transform Mbare into a modern township. Council has already completed exciting modern designs for the state-of-the-art bus terminuses,” Gama said.
Mbare Musika Terminus Set for Major Modernisation in Harare’s Urban Renewal Drive
The council is adopting the same financing and management model it used for the Rufaro Stadium facelift, where City Parking and in-house technical teams managed to save the city nearly half the cost it would have incurred through external contractors. Last year’s stadium rehabilitation cost just under US$1 million.
“This approach ensures that more funds are directed towards tangible infrastructure improvements rather than outsourcing fees. It has proven to be effective, and we are confident it will deliver results again with Mbare Musika,” Gama said.The announcement has been met with cautious optimism from both passengers and operators who rely on Mbare Musika daily. Commuters interviewed welcomed the prospect of better facilities but raised concerns about affordability and implementation.
“I believe this is a welcome development, provided it proceeds as planned, as we have grown tired of the Harare City Council’s lies,” said Mr Amos Kasirori, a Hwedza-bound passenger. “With the rainy season approaching, they should prioritise erecting passenger shelters. The focus should not only be on Mbare but also other ranks across the city.”
Another passenger, Ms Loveness, expressed hopes that the project would improve the dignity of travelers. “While we welcome this development, we do not expect to pay for toilet access here as we currently do. After buying a ticket, I expect basic facilities like toilets to be free. We also want to see the elimination of touts who harass passengers daily,” she said.
Bus operators also indicated support but cautioned that authorities must plan for alternative spaces to accommodate services during construction. Mr Tinoziva Tsvangirai, owner of Timboom Bus Company, stressed the need for proper transition arrangements.
“As long as they are giving us an alternative place to operate, the project is always welcome because we want to work in a good environment,” he said. “The last time renovations happened, it was just after the Covid-19 peak when travel restrictions meant fewer buses. This time, there will be far more operators, so alternative facilities must be clearly defined before construction begins.”
During previous renovations, operators were redirected to temporary sites including Mbudzi Complex Car Park, Machipisa Bus Terminus, Simon Muzenda Terminus, and Coventry Road Holding Bay. Mr Gama said similar arrangements will be announced soon.Urban planners see the Mbare Musika upgrade as a critical step in modernising Harare’s transport infrastructure. The hub, which connects rural and urban areas across Zimbabwe, has long been criticised for poor sanitation, congestion, and lawlessness.
Authorities hope the facelift will not only improve commuter experiences but also uplift the image of Harare as part of the government’s broader smart city agenda. For many residents, however, the proof will lie in whether the ambitious plans translate into lasting change.
If successful, the project could mark a turning point for Mbare, giving one of Harare’s most iconic suburbs a modernised transport hub that reflects both its historic significance and its central role in the city’s daily life.
Source- Herald
