Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) has increased
buses and kombi fares for intra-city routes to cover rising operational costs.
The increase is with immediate effect. Commuting from the
Harare Central Business District (CBD) to Chitungwiza with a bus is now $6, up
from $3 and is double the amount when using a kombi.
Zupco’s last fare increase was in March. The fare hike
comes as Zupco has increased its carrying capacity under new Government health
guidelines to ease transport challenges.
In an interview on Thursday, Zupco chief executive Mr
Evaristo Madangwa said the increase was necessitated by the ever rising
operational costs.
“We have increased our fares by 100 percent, he said. “Our
operating costs have risen due the prevailing economic environment.”
The subsidised fares are part of the Government’s efforts
to provide affordable public transport, which has seen Zupco buses, including
hundreds of franchised kombis, making a mark on most urban routes countrywide.
In an interview, Passengers Association of Zimbabwe
president Tafadzwa Goliathi said the hike was justifiable and long overdue.
“We were expecting the increase especially after fuel
prices had increased, he said.
“However, Government should address issues of fuel prices
as they automatically translate to a hike in prices for most of the basic
commodities, which puts a strain on commuters.”
Transport challenges are set to grow growing as the
informal economy joins essential services under the relaxed lockdown now at
Level 2.
The increase in Zupco carrying capacity was subject to
mandatory temperature testing, wearing of masks by passengers and the buses
being disinfected and sanitised after every trip.
As part of its commitment in providing reliable affordable
transport system, President Mnangagwa has authorised deals with companies in
Belarus and China to supply batches of buses regularly. Herald
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