Senior citizens in Bulawayo face cuts to their free parking time. The city changed the benefit from 25 hours down to just 10 hours each month. Officials made this decision after losing $119,000 last year through the program. The city announced these changes recently.
Back in June, Tendy Three Investments partnered with Bulawayo to give free parking passes for people aged 70 and older. The city wanted to thank older residents for helping build Bulawayo over the years. About 1,332 seniors signed up for their vehicles when the program started with the 25-hour monthly limit.
City records showed most seniors actually used very little of their free time. Around 62 percent needed just 0-10 hours monthly, 17 percent used between 11-15 hours, and only 12 percent used the full 21-25 hours. These numbers convinced the city council to scale back the benefit as a money-saving step.
Bulawayo asked seniors to renew their applications by February 28, 2025. The latest count shows 1,351 cars registered under the program. January data reveals most elderly drivers use under half of even their reduced 10-hour allowance. Local officials backed the reduction because they worried about lost parking revenue.
The city might also make parking cheaper around the outer parts of downtown. Many drivers complained that parking costs the same everywhere regardless of location. The Town Clerk Christopher Dube heard concerns that drivers avoid downtown parking areas because of equal prices everywhere.
Mr. Dube mentioned drivers want different rates based on location. He warned that current pricing pushes cars into spots meant for businesses. The city needs to charge less for spots farther from the center. Parking management brought in $101,526 during January 2025 from all payment types combined.
Back in June, Tendy Three Investments partnered with Bulawayo to give free parking passes for people aged 70 and older. The city wanted to thank older residents for helping build Bulawayo over the years. About 1,332 seniors signed up for their vehicles when the program started with the 25-hour monthly limit.
City records showed most seniors actually used very little of their free time. Around 62 percent needed just 0-10 hours monthly, 17 percent used between 11-15 hours, and only 12 percent used the full 21-25 hours. These numbers convinced the city council to scale back the benefit as a money-saving step.
Bulawayo asked seniors to renew their applications by February 28, 2025. The latest count shows 1,351 cars registered under the program. January data reveals most elderly drivers use under half of even their reduced 10-hour allowance. Local officials backed the reduction because they worried about lost parking revenue.
The city might also make parking cheaper around the outer parts of downtown. Many drivers complained that parking costs the same everywhere regardless of location. The Town Clerk Christopher Dube heard concerns that drivers avoid downtown parking areas because of equal prices everywhere.
Mr. Dube mentioned drivers want different rates based on location. He warned that current pricing pushes cars into spots meant for businesses. The city needs to charge less for spots farther from the center. Parking management brought in $101,526 during January 2025 from all payment types combined.
