By Christopher Makaza

President Emmerson Mnangagwa today commissioned the second batch of 47 new ZUPCO buses which the Government has secured from South Africa and China as part of measures to ease the plight of commuters who are being ripped off by private operators.

The fleet of buses are part of an overall Government policy to revamp the transport sector and introduce a mass transport system, with the number expected to increase to also cater for rural commuters.

Speaking during the event, President Mnangangwa said government was working tirelessly to fulfil its promise of bringing in the 1500 buses by end of the programme. He urged travellers not to vandalise the buses.

President Mnangagwa said government would source for appropriate buses to cater for people with disabilities.

The President also indicated that local authorities will refurbish bus termini and that the buses will run according to scheduled time tables in view of the forthcoming Heroes and Defence holidays.

Posting on his official  twitter page after commissioning the buses, President Mnangagwa said, “This morning we commissioned a further 47 new ZUPCO buses as we work to mitigate the transport challenges felt by our communities. We are building a modern public transport system, a key component of a growing economy, which enables citizens to travel cheaply and efficiently.”

In April, President Mnangagwa commissioned the first batch of 39 buses.

To mitigate the transport challenges faced by the Zimbabwean commuting public, the Government is presently capacitating ZUPCO and the government promised to avail more buses to meet commuters’ demand.

During the launch of the first batch, President Mnangagwa said that by  the time the scheme is over, more than 1500 would have been acquired. He also said the government would by then have done a lot to ameliorate challenges of transport in the country by providing cheaper transport.