Unlicensed taxis in Zimbabwe's urban areas: The case for legalising an informal urban transportation system

Unlicensed taxis in Zimbabwe's urban areas: The case for legalising an informal urban transportation system

Author: 
Tichagwa, Cornelius Gibson
Publisher: 
Taylor & Francis Group
Date published: 
2016
Record type: 
Journal Title: 
Development Southern Africa
Source: 
Development Southern Africa, Vol. 33, No. 1, January 2016, pp. 81-98
Abstract: 

Studies of informal urban transport modes have been carried out in several countries in Africa and Asia. Hardly any have been conducted in Zimbabwe. This study set out to establish the prevalence of an informal urban transport system and the rationale for its existence. The research was carried out in Masvingo and Harare. The study used qualitative approaches such as participation?observation, conversations with stakeholders and open-ended questionnaires. The data were summarised into tables and graphs. Among the findings were that an informal urban transport system is very active in both cities and that the existence of the system is justified due to the inadequate services provided for certain types of commuter. It is recommended that the vital role played by informal taxis should be recognised and managed. Specific routes could be mapped out for them, with a flexible licensing regime to match.

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CITATION: Tichagwa, Cornelius Gibson. Unlicensed taxis in Zimbabwe's urban areas: The case for legalising an informal urban transportation system . : Taylor & Francis Group , 2016. Development Southern Africa, Vol. 33, No. 1, January 2016, pp. 81-98 - Available at: https://library.au.int/unlicensed-taxis-zimbabwes-urban-areas-case-legalising-informal-urban-transportation-system-0