Users of the bus station for vehicles carrying out remunerated transport of goods commonly called “transvilles” located opposite the Burundi Public Transport Office (OTRACO) in the Ngagara area in the town hall of Bujumbura suffer from the lack of toilets at this place for almost 5 years. Apart from that, even the road leading to it is dilapidated. These users are asking for emergency assistance
Drivers report that no car is allowed to park there without having the full documents and paying the taxes to the Town Hall, the Burundi Revenue Office (OBR) and OTRACO
During a visit made this Monday, April 10, 2023 to the transvilles bus station located in the Ngagara area, we found that it is not well equipped.
The road leading to this place has potholes. When it rains, we observe rainwater mixed with mud.
« The main problem we have here is the lack of toilets. It disturbs us. It is very difficult to find where to relieve oneself. This road also causes problems, because the ball joints, the oars… of our vehicles wear out quickly. This leads to a loss for us, because we have to go to garages, while spare parts are expensive,” indicates one of the drivers of transvilles.
Célestin Hatungimana representative of these drivers said that all these questions were submitted to the Bujumbura Town Hall. “We are waiting for feedback,” he remarks.
Being in order, an obligation
Drivers report that no car is allowed to park there without having the full documents and paying the taxes to the Town Hall, the Burundi Revenue Office (OBR) and OTRACO. These documents are, among others: the annual fee: 1,000,000 FBu per year, the technical control: 124,000 FBu per semester, the flat tax: 50,000 FBu depending on the truck, the transport authorization: 46,000 FBu per semester, the insurance: 40,000 FBu per quarter, municipal card: 20,000 FBu per year, parking fees: 30,000 FBu per month for the truck and 15,000 FBu per month for the van, …
And to worry: “Normally, the money paid should contribute to the rehabilitation of roads, the development of bus stations or even the availability of toilets…”.
The drivers say they are satisfied to have this place even if the customers are not numerous. The latter prefer to use the bus stations located near their residences.
“We find customers today as we can also lack. A customer being To Kamenge cannot pick us up here as there is a bus station for transvilles there” indicates one of the conductors.
Contacted to find out what the Town Hall plans to do to rehabilitate this bus station, the question did not find a favorable outcome.