Government has mobilised more than 140 buses that will
carry passengers for $1 per trip in and around Harare starting today as part of
long-term interventions to modernise the mass public transport system in
Zimbabwe.
Commuters from Chitungwiza and Norton will pay $1,50 and $2
per trip, respectively. The rest of the routes will be charged a dollar.
The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) will
coordinate the new transport system after it was tasked to manage a fleet of
buses that will cover all suburbs in Harare, before extending to other towns
and cities.
The buses had by last night been refuelled at the Central
Mechanical and Equipment Department (CMED) and were ready to roll.
Speaking to ZBC last night, Information, Publicity and
Broadcasting Services permanent secretary Mr Nick Mangwana said Government was
expecting 158 buses for Harare, as more players come in. The buses will start plying various routes from as early as
5am up until around 10.30pm.
Makoni in Chitungwiza will have four buses to Harare City
Centre that will do 11 trips each. The first bus will depart at 5.30am, the
second at 5.50am, and then two at 6am and 6.10am.
The last bus will leave at 8.50pm. On the other hand,
another four buses will do 11 trips from Harare City Centre to Makoni with the
first one leaving at 5am, followed by the 5.10am, 5.20am and 5.30am buses.
Ruwa will have two buses from Harare City Centre and
another two to the capital. The buses will do nine trips until 8.30pm.
The timetable is the same for Seke 1 and 2, St Mary’s,
Zengeza 1, 2, 3 and4.
There are five buses that will ply the Tafara route between
5am and 9.50pm while Glen Norah A and B have four buses from 5am and 9.40pm.
There will also be 12 trips to and from town in
Dzivarasekwa, Epworth Domboramwari, Epworth Overspill, Kuwadzana 1 to 7,
Kuwadzana Extension, Mufakose, Kambuzuma, Budiriro 1 and 2, Budiriro 4 and 5,
Glen View1, 2 and 3, Machipisa-Lusaka, Warren Park 1 and 2, Warren Park D and
Norton.
Briefing journalists in Harare on Saturday, Information,
Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the new
system would enable passengers to use various forms of payment including cash
and plastic money.
Measures had already been put in place to provide adequate
security to protect passengers and the buses in view of recent disturbances,
she said.
Transport and Infrastructural Development deputy Minister
Fortune Chasi said authorities had made interventions to ensure that there were
enough buses to meet demand. Herald
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