Vusumuzi Dube
Sunday News Reporter
Government will spend $6 billion to recapitalise Zupco next year in a development set to enhance service delivery and modernise the mass public transport system.
Presenting the 2023 National Budget recently, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the recapitalisation of Zupco will be tied to the liberalisation of the public transport sector. The move is expected to broaden the provision of a high-quality public transport system.
“While modalities to broaden private sector participation are being finalised, the capitalisation of Zupco to acquire additional buses becomes imperative.
Accordingly, the 2023 Budget has set aside resources amounting to $6 billion for the procurement of additional buses,” said Prof Ncube.
The intervention will be complemented by measures to address the management of the urban transport system and levying of viable fares. Africa Road Safety Observatory’s #Roads4Life campaign champion Mr Tatenda Chinoda said capacitating Zupco was in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
“This is a conscious effort by the Second Republic to think global and act local, as it also reflects commitment to the United Nations Agenda 2030. SDG 11.2 rallies members to make provision of access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, especially vulnerable road users. Zupco buses are comparatively safer as opposed to pirate taxis in terms of both road traffic crashes and harm to citizens in terms of the risk of criminal activity.”
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter