Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday commissioned 115 Zupco buses as the Second Republic continues with efforts to provide safe, reliable and affordable transport in both rural and urban areas.

Yesterday’s commissioning ceremony was the eighth since January 2019, with 432 buses now added to the  Zupco fleet in just over two years.

President Mnangagwa urged Zupco to use its fleet fully, efficiently and properly to provide services in every corner of the country to cater for every Zimbabwean.

“Zupco should therefore, operate at the highest level of efficiency in line with our vision of a modern, highly integrated multi-modal transport which can play a key role in the development of our economic and social sectors,” said the President.

The President highlighted that the workforce should not spend valuable productive time waiting for transport in queues, commending the Zupco partnership with the National Railways of Zimbabwe to ferry the commuting public.

President Mnangagwa also stated that more Zimbabwean investors were interested in partnerships with local bus assembly companies.

“In line with Government’s intention to partially privatise Zupco, as highlighted in the 2022 National Budget, I am informed that some investors, including sons and daughters of our country have entered into arrangements with local bus assembly companies.

“This will create jobs as well as lower the cost of bus procurement in foreign currency as many of the parts can be sourced locally,” he said.

The President challenged local entrepreneurs to embark in the manufacturing of components, taking advantage of the enabling environment created under the Second Republic. He applauded private sector transport operators for their service in both rural and urban areas and invited more players to complement Government efforts in providing reliable and efficient transport services.

President Mnangagwa also urged Zupco to implement contemporary fleet management practices including time-tabling and ensuring that there are bus services in areas where they are needed most.

“I also task the Zupco management committee to ensure that adequate measures are put in place to mitigate the plague of accidents such as retraining of staff as well as properly service and maintain their fleet of buses. Zupco must be a beacon of service excellency,” said the President.

Speaking at the same event, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga commended the leadership of President Mnangagwa saying through him, the transport delivery system had been improved.

Zupco aims to meet its target of 1500 buses by the end of 2022.