By Tendai Matunhu
Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) has revealed that the parastatal is currently working on plans to ensure that the whole country receives ZUPCO services, The Harare Post has learnt.
Speaking to this publication today, ZUPCO Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Everisto Madangwa revealed that very soon ZUPCO buses would be covering the whole country, saying that it is work in progress as the buses are coming in batches.
However, the CEO professed ignorance on the social media message which claims that government has deployed ZUPCO buses in most of the city to city routes.
The message states that Government has deployed five ZUPCO buses per route, with Harare to Bulawayo journey costing $30, Harare to Masvingo going for $25, Harare to Beitbridge pegged at $45, Harare to Mt Darwin costing $15. According to the circulating message, private operators are charging three times much.
At the recently held national clean-up campaign, President Emmerson Mnangagwa stated that Government is working on increasing the fleet of buses and among them will be buses with special facilities for the disabled. He also mentioned that the ZUPCO fares would not be increased anytime soon unless he gives the orders.
ZUPCO mass public transport was introduced by Government to cushion the commuting public from the high fares charged by private transport operators.
ZUPCO released 47 new buses last week which saw its fleet grow to 427 as Government pushes to reduce the burden of the commuting public. The new buses were recently acquired from South Africa and China and an additional 500 new buses are expected from Belarus.
Fares from most of Harare’s suburbs to the Central Business District
(CBD) have risen from RTGS$2 to RTGS$4 depending on the time of the day and distance travelled, as most private transport operators hike their fares during peak hours. Chitungwiza passengers are paying between RTGS$5 and RTGS$8 to and from Harare.
The ZUPCO bus fares are reasonable and affordable for most commuters with all local fares pegged at $0.50, Harare - Chitungwiza fares at $0.75, Harare – Glendale $3.00 and Marondera - Harare at $1.50 just to mention a few routes.
The exorbitant fares being charged by private transport operators have forced Government to step in to cushion commuters.
