The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) buses have
been overwhelmed by commuters who can no longer afford the exorbitant fares
being charged by commuter omnibuses following the recent fuel price hike.
Long queues have become the order of the day at all ZUPCO
bus termini in Harare as the commuting public can longer afford fares charged
by commuter omnibuses that range between ZWL $5 and $8 dollars for a local
trip.
ZUPCO buses charge between a dollar and two for local
trips, hence the huge turnout at the buses’ various termini as passengers try
to avoid paying more in commuter omnibuses.
“This resulted in some of us here failing to report for
work on time as we battle for the cheap mode of transport,” said one passenger.
“The transport situation has turned dire as kombis have
hiked fares to between ZWL $10 and twenty dollars to and from work,” said
another one.
“Its 11 o’clock now and I joined this queue in the morning
but up to now I am yet to board the ZUPCO to go to work. The buses are being
overwhelmed to say the truth because they are the cheap one, says commuter in
the CBD,’’ said another one.
“We appeal to government to bring more buses because
everyone is now preferring the ZUPCO, we don’t have money to board the
expensive kombis, says another old woman in the city,’’ said another one.
A driver with ZUPCO confirmed the swelling numbers as the
cheaper mode of transport has become the overwhelming choice for many.
“It has been hectic, but the fact is that the buses are
few, says the driver,” he said.
Government introduced ZUPCO buses to cushion commuters from
transport challenges and exorbitant fares charged by commuter omnibuses.
More buses are expected to arrive in the country from
Belarus and South Africa. zbc
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