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Heather Charema Mash West Bureau
Government has been hailed for extending the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) bus facility to commuters in rural areas and the smaller towns.
The intervention has resulted in commuters paying affordable fares.
Some rural commuters yesterday expressed gratitude to the Government for reducing their transport costs as most private commuter omnibuses had hiked fares beyond their reach, prior to the introduction of the Zupco service.
“Commuter omnibuses and pirate taxis have been charging $50 from Chegutu to Chinhoyi, if you are paying cash, and $60 if you are using EcoCash. From here (Murombedzi) to Chinhoyi we were paying $25 or $30 but Zupco is charging $10,” said Ms Paidamoyo Matare, a fruit vendor from Zvimba West.
Passengers’ Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Tafadzwa Goliati applauded Government for considering the rural commuters.
“We want to applaud the move by Government to avail Zupco buses in rural routes and making sure that the rural commuter has access to affordable transport. This is quite commendable as the pirate taxis enjoyed a monopoly and hiked transport fares while putting the lives of the commuters at risk,” he said.
Zanu PF Chegutu East legislator Cde Webster Shamu said the move by Government would impact the economic turnaround of the country by boosting investor confidence and mobility of rural commuters.
“Government has promised more buses for rural commuters and this means that we have a stable transport facility for the rural commuters. What this means is improved development and more business channels. Farmers are now able to transport their inputs and produce to markets,” he said.
“The move also gives hope to the rural voters who felt left out and thought the Government had favoured the urban commuters.”
Sanyati, Zvimba, Hurungwe, Makonde, Chegutu and Mhondoro are among the areas where Zupco buses were introduced.
Online Reporter