By Lloyd Takawira
Commuter across the country have been left in quandary with the transport situation worsening as ZUPCO buses vanishes from their operating routes.
Locals who spoke to Bustop TV expressed anger as some public transport operators are charging fares to the tune of about $20 for a distance less than 16km.
As of today, a Kombi from Seke Unit L Chitungwiza was charging ZW $18 to the Central Business District.
“We are changing ZW $18 -20 bond mdara , kugara pakadoma ZW $15 kana muchidawo mdara ” shouted a tout at Makoni rank.
“Ndakwira ZW $15 bond kubva pa Jacha my brother, apa imagine ndoshandira ku My Pleasant, l have to fork out more money when I get into town. Life yakaoma mu Zimbabwe,” said a woman identified as Linda from Epworth.
In Bulawayo, a state newspaper, Chronicle reported that scores of commuters yesterday were stranded after commuter omnibus operators hiked fares, some doubling them during peak hours, citing fuel shortages that have forced them to source the commodity from the black market.
The Chronicle wrote: “… the transport challenge started last week, but worsened yesterday as Zupco buses and kombis were not on many routes.”
Early last year the Government through the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) engaged private bus operators to compliment the existing ZUPCO buses in a bid to solve transport problems however in the past weeks the ZUPCO buses “disappeared” from some routes.
“Mabhazi acho kadhakwa mwanangu, imagine nhezuro ndakamira my rank pa Charge office kusvika na 22:00 kana kuuya ” said Bhandira who works in the CBD.
Meanwhile, Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ ) has implored government to quickly rectify the worsening transportation situation in the country.
PAZ president, Tafadzwa Goliath said ” as passengers, we are deeply saddled with a challenge were exorbitant fares beyond the reach of many are being charged. We implore the Min of Transport to swiftly act “.
