BULAWAYO transport operators have snubbed the Zimbabwe
United Passenger Company (Zupco)’s offer to partner them in the urban mass
public transport system, citing unworkable conditions that will throw most of
their drivers and conductors out of employment.
Tshova Mubaiwa chairperson Atlas Moyo told Southern Eye
yesterday that they failed to reach a consensus with Zupco authorities this
week as it was a take it or leave offer.
“The conditions are impracticable and tantamount to give
employment to other people from outside Bulawayo as we are supposed to
surrender our vehicles to Zupco so that they will look for their own drivers
who are likely to come from outside the region,” he said.
“We were told that we will have to surrender our kombis
from 4am to 10pm and they become Zupco property during that period and they
will only give them back to us in the event of a breakdown.
“We have said no to this. Anyone who will agree to this
deal will have to cease to be under our association.”
Moyo said they were invited by Zupco authorities on Tuesday
to discuss the matter and after failing to reach an agreement, they advised the
owners to meet with the officials.
Transport operator Keeper Ndlovu said they were waiting for
the finalisation of the meeting with Zupco Government is reportedly trying to
rope in commuter omnibus operators under its comprehensive urban public
transport system, a situation that will result in reduced fares for city dwellers.
The Zupco franchise has since been reportedly extended to
urban commuter omnibus operators in Harare, where passengers are charged $2 for
a local trip that is pegged at $4 by operators who are not on the scheme.
Zupco acting chief executive officer Evaristo Madangwa said
he was in a meeting and would call back later yesterday.
Divisional operations manager Tineyi Rwasoka had on
Wednesday told the media that they had managed to register 18 omnibuses under
the Zupco programme.
He said a trip will cost $2 and indicated that the majority
of operators were reluctant to join the scheme citing differences over
operating conditions.
“We have since registered 18 kombis and we expect them to
start this evening (Wednesday). However, we are struggling to engage more
operators, especially those from associations as they are not happy with what
we are offering,” Rwasoka was quoted as saying.
Moyo, the Tshova Mubaiwa chairperson, said only three
kombis out of over 600 joined the scheme.
He said they were required to surrender their vehicles to
Zupco on condition that each kombi will be given two drivers on a shift basis
and they would be paid by the owner. Newsday
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