SCORES of commuters in Bulawayo were left stranded
yesterday as fuel shortages grounded most of the Zupco fleet.
The city has been facing acute fuel shortages which the
Ministry of Energy and Power Development said was a nationwide crisis owing to
foreign currency shortages.
Fresh transport problems started on Monday afternoon as
there were very few buses and kombis servicing routes and many people opted to
walk home.
At 6pm yesterday, which marks the start of the lockdown
curfew, people were still queuing at some Zupco ranks waiting for transport,
while a number of people walked home to suburbs as far as Cowdray Park.
Commuters who spoke to Chronicle said they expected better
service from the bus company, which effected a 100 percent fare hike on
Saturday.
Bus fare went up from $4 to $8, while a ride on the Zupco
kombi now costs $16, from $8.
Yesterday morning, there were many people at bus stops in
suburbs such as Sizinda, Tshabalala and Nkulumane, but buses and kombis were in
no-show.
At around 9am, a few kombis came, but were overwhelmed by
the high number of commuters needing transport.
Efforts to get a comment from Zupco chief executive officer
Mr Evaristo Madangwa were fruitless as he was not responding to calls while
Zupco Southern Region manager Mr Tinei Rwasoka was also not available for
comment.
A Zupco official in Bulawayo who spoke on condition of
anonymity said the fuel problem is caused by challenges accessing foreign
currency.
“Foreign currency is the major problem, we need about 210
000 litres of fuel per week. Right now we got delivery of 40 000 litres, while
another 100 000 is expected from Harare. It’s a difficult situation but the
situation will improve soon,” said the source.
A Zupco kombi driver who identified himself as Phila Nkomo,
plying the Sizinda-Tshabalala- City centre route, said they had been promised
deliveries today.
“This could be my last trip. I’m running low on fuel, and
there’s no chance of refuelling today, but at the depot they said maybe
tomorrow (today), as a tanker is expected. But they just said maybe. It was not
definite,” he said.
Commuters said they were worried about failing to get
transport on their way back from the city centre after the curfew time had
lapsed.
Ms Thelma Dube, a cashier at a local supermarket said she
had run late for work but was assured by the fact that her colleagues had also
reported having transport problems.
“I am supposed to be at work by 7 am daily. But right now,
it’s past nine and I am still at the bus stop. I’m worried that I will have the
same problem on my way back until curfew time starts. I may not have a problem
in town as I wait at the rank with many people. But when I arrive in the
township after six, I may get into trouble if I bump into police officers or
soldiers and they won’t buy my story of having transport problems,” she said.
Another commuter, a health worker, who declined to identify
herself, said she was late for her shift at a hospital where she was on day
duty.
“Already I’m dragging my feet to work due to the ongoing
crisis. The transport problem is worsening the situation. I’m considering just
going back home and calling it quits for the day,” she said.
Said Mrs Linet Mhlanga: “The transport situation is
affecting us seriously more so for us women who have to attend to house chores
like bathing and cooking but I am tired. This issue must be addressed once and
for all.” Chronicle
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