Mbare Musika Terminus Set for Major Upgrade

Harare’s Mbare Musika Terminus will undergo a major overhaul (image source)

Harare’s busiest bus hub, Mbare Musika Terminus, will undergo a comprehensive overhaul starting within 30 days, as City Parking finances toilets, shelters, solar lighting, and electronic entry gates to modernise commuter flow. The project, announced by Harare City Council Spokesperson Stanley Gama, is part of the municipality’s broader urban-renewal initiative and will be delivered using internal resources rather than outsourced contractors.

Under the plan, existing pavements, boundary walls, waiting sheds, and ticketing offices will be rebuilt. New shops around the terminus will boost vendor formalisation, while CCTV cameras and boom gates will enhance security. “City Parking shall finance and manage the project and provide all necessary equipment and machinery,” Gama said. Local commuters, however, are watching closely for promised improvements.

Amos Kasirori, bound for Hwedza, voiced common concerns: “With the rainy season approaching, I hope they quickly erect passenger shelters. We’ve grown tired of promises without action.” Likewise, vendor Loveness expects free toilet access post-upgrade, noting, “After buying my ticket, I shouldn’t pay extra for basic facilities.”

Harare’s reliance on Mbare Musika extends beyond transport. The market adjacent to the bus terminus supports over 300 long-distance buses daily and thousands of informal traders. In 2024, the City Council refurbished Rufaro Stadium for under US$1 million using the same City Parking model, cutting costs and delivery time. This approach will guide the Musika works, with Gama pledging minimal disruption and clear alternative operating spaces for bus operators.

“This terminus will be transformed into a state-of-the-art facility, providing a more efficient and comfortable experience for commuters,” Stanley Gama said.

Mbare Musika has evolved since its 2020 palisade fencing and borehole installation by bus operators, which served as interim upgrades during COVID-19 restrictions. Persistent challenges—touts, congestion, and flooding in rainy months—have spurred calls for a permanent, council-led solution. The new design aligns with Harare’s Smart City ambitions, incorporating renewable energy and digital ticketing.

Preliminary logistical works begin within the next month. Council will publish alternative ranks for displaced operators and a detailed construction schedule. Commuters, traders, and bus companies will monitor progress as Harare aims to set a benchmark for modernised public-transport facilities in Zimbabwe.