Commuter omnibus crews reduce fare

In interviews yesterday, the kombi crews said they were charging two rand or $1 for three commuters with effect from Monday as a way of trying to get back into business.
They said private motorists took less time to load passengers thereby driving them out of business.
“This is a painful but tough stance we have taken as kombi crews as we seek to remain in business. There is fierce competition from these private motorists using Ipsums and other small cars who have invaded our route. They are not paying any tax to the Government for that,” said a kombi driver, Mr Amos Dewa.
Mr Dewa said they were now forced to spend the better part of the day parked as commuters preferred using private cars.
“These people have now established their illegal pick and drop point in the city centre and it is now very difficult for us to win clients,” he said.
Mr Taurai Zviyo, a kombi conductor, said several pleas to the police to drive away the private motorists had failed to produce positive results.
“It seems the police are not even concerned with this illegal act by the motorists. We have tried to engage them but we always see police roadblocks along the city-suburbs routes with the police stopping kombis most of the time,” he said.
Mr Zviyo said they convened a meeting as kombi crews and decided to reduce their fares.
“We are not making any profits at the moment but there is nothing we can do because these motorists are making a killing while we spend hours waiting for commuters at the terminus,” he said.
Another kombi driver, who only identified himself as Mr Mahachi, said they were still facing a challenge despite having reduced the fare.
“It’s very difficult for us my friend. Even after reducing our fares to a mere two rand, commuters continue to shun us and it seems most of them are not seeing the difference,” he said.
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Patrick Chademana was not available for comment yesterday.