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Trust Freddy Zimpapers Correspondent
AT least 200 public service buses are en-route to Zimbabwe, with 500 more under manufacture, in a Government-backed plan to dismantle illegal touting cartels that control urban ranks and the pirate taxi menace.
The Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation (ZPTO) confirmed the rollout yesterday after a meeting with its members in Harare, saying uniform branding and centralised route management will end the disorder that allows touts to extort operators and harass passengers.
The private sector-led intervention, which operates as a pilot project to revitalise urban transit, is being rolled out in partnership with local authorities to cushion commuters from high fares driven by rising global fuel prices.
ZPTO, which already commands an active fleet of over 3 000 buses, said while intercity and rural transport networks remained stable, urban centres — particularly Harare — were reeling from severe capacity deficits.
This comes as some unscrupulous operators have capitalised on the shortage, charging up to US$3 for a single trip to Chitungwiza and US$2 to Budiriro.
Speaking on the development, ZPTO Chairman Dr Samson Nhanhanga confirmed that the transport body was finalising logistics for urban mass transportation.
“The first batch of 200 buses has departed China. We expect them very soon, and we have also 500 buses which are still under production,” Dr Nhanhanga said.
“Since the past period, we have concentrated on intercity buses and rural buses, and there is now a big shortage of transport in urban centres, especially Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare and Masvingo.”
Dr Nhanhanga said uniform colour branding and centralised route management would break the backbone of illegal touting cartels that currently hold ranks hostage.
“Currently, we are struggling with touts who charge us 10 percent and do not pay tax because there is no order,” Dr Nhanhanga said. “You will find two buses going the same route loading at the same time. But if we begin to operate as one, there will be no need for touts, and we will collaborate with both police and municipal officers.”
The massive private capital injection has been heavily incentivised by central government intervention.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube recently suspended import duty on public service buses, backdated to January 1, 2026.
The fiscal relief, gazetted under Statutory Instrument 74 of 2026 [Customs and Excise Act (Suspension) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (No. 286)], was structured to cushion commuters against rising fare costs caused by the US-Israel-Iran geopolitical conflict, which has driven up global oil prices.
The policy not only reduces capital expenditure for operators looking to modernise their fleets but also balances the immediate importation of high-capacity vehicles with long-term support for the local motor assembly industry.
This also coincides with a push by the Harare City Council to modernise its municipal transport system.
Informing councillors at the 1947th Ordinary Council meeting at Town House, Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume said the city must move swiftly to accommodate the incoming fleet.
Clr Mafume said the initiative leaned heavily on modern transit systems observed at the recent World Forum held in Azerbaijan.
“They have a beautiful bus transport system, and we want to adopt that transport system. We met some people who have bought 200 buses,” Clr Mafume said.
“Before the buses arrive, we need to finish negotiations. Let’s expedite this bus issue. We need to roll out public transport in a big way in Harare.”
He acknowledged that the local authority had previously drawn criticism for failing to provide viable public transport options.
“These are private actors who have decided to buy buses. We probably need more, but we need to give them a bankable plan to proceed,” the mayor said.
