The ManicaPost
Post Correspondents
COMMUTERS in Mutare welcomed the move by Government to avail buses for urban mass transportation through the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) but called on the reduction of the bus fare as well as improved take off timetable.
Government availed 40 buses for urban mass transportation in Mutare on Monday.
Residents that spoke to The Manica Post said the $1 fare charged by ZUPCO was still unaffordable. They felt that $0,50 would be fair.
Mr Tariro Guru (29) said the introduction of ZUPCO buses had put to an end the confusion in the sector where kombi operators were hiking fares willy-nilly.
“As commuters, we have been facing challenges concerning outrageous transport fares. We could not afford fares that were being charged by kombis. ZUPCO buses should continuously operate so that we are assured of fair fares.
“We are hoping that the Government will also reduce the transport fare from $1 to $0,50 so that everyone can afford,” she said.
Mrs Chipo Gwarangu (30) applauded the Government for bringing relief to commuters who were being charged exorbitant fares. She urged the Government to take the programme to long distance routes such as Marange, Buhera and Harare.
“We hope that the Government will allocate some buses to rural areas because we want to pay lesser fares than we are paying now. 40 buses are more than enough to operate in the city only and they should allocate other buses to long distance trips,” said Mrs Gwarangu.
Some kombi operators also expressed interest in joining the Government programme saying they were willing to charge fair transport fares.
“We applauded the Government on the introduction of urban mass transportation and we are willing to partner with the Government and help commuters,” said one kombi operator Simba Mukodza. Local kombi driver Tonderai Chari said: “We used to get decent profits as compared to now because both fuel prices and motor spares were manageable. The amount we used to pay for spares and fuel is double the price we pay now. However, the Government has done a good job by allocating ZUPCO buses as it stabilises transport fees. They should now also look into the issue of competition. There is no way 75-seater buses can compete with kombis on the same pick up point because the later takes off earlier and saves time,” he added.
Mrs Pamela Mbona (23) who resides in Hobhouse said they were facing some challenges regarding the buses’ timetables.
“Buses are taking long to pick up people from different designated points and this is making us reach our work places late. They should have strict take off timetables at various pick up points. For example, people need to know there is a bus leaving Mbetsa pick up point at exactly 7am every day. That enables us to get to work in time.”
