adminIvan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
TRAVELLERS have hailed Government over the increased number of buses at ranks following the importation of 369 buses for Zupco to improve public transport and the tax concessions that allowed the private companies to bring in another 200.
Government last year imported 369 buses which were assigned to the Zupco franchise as a move to ameliorate public transport challenges.
This total of buses, all imported from China, excludes those that were assigned to the Public Service Commission to provide employer-transport to civil servants — a separate programme run as part of Government efforts to improve the working conditions for its own staff.
Zupco is using the buses in all the 10 provinces, both for local shuttle services and intercity travel.
To complement efforts in easing transport challenges, private bus operators imported 200 buses that are ferrying passengers in urban, intercity and rural areas for the convenience of travellers during this festive season.
Travellers have expressed happiness over the availability of buses, saying they did not face any transport challenges this festive season.
Mr Pardon Mhuri said his family did not face any challenges in travelling to Beatrice where they spent Christmas with their grandparents.
“This year we travelled without any problem and we did not go to the mushikashika because there were plenty of buses at Mbudzi roundabout, unlike in 2019 before the lockdown where we boarded a Toyota Wish to go to the village. This year there were a lot of buses,” he said.
Mr Tavonga Pande from Kadoma who came to spend the festive season with his son echoed the same sentiments and said he did not face any transport challenges.
“I would like to thank the Government for increasing the number of buses because it has made travelling easy for us. In Kadoma there are plenty of buses because you have a choice of those that are coming from Bulawayo, Gweru and Kwekwe going to Harare because they all pass through Kadoma,” he said.
Ms Tinotenda Murisa concurred and said the increase in buses was a commendable move by Government.
“I am planning to go and spend time in Gokwe Nembudziya with my parents and from the look of things it seems there are a lot of buses at ranks. I do not think I will face transport challenges going there and this a commendable move by the Government,” she said.
Zimbabwe Passenger Transporters Organisation chairman Dr Sam Nanhanga said they were fully prepared for this festive season.
“The biggest challenge which was in this country was a shortage of buses, but the buses are coming,” he said.
“This month alone we have received more than 50 buses and some of the buses are still on the way and we are expecting that by the end of this month we will receive another 50. We think with these buses we have managed to reduce the pressure on the travellers as buses were going to Bulawayo and coming back again to fetch passengers.
“We do not have the kind of pressure which we used to have in previous years. As for accidents, we have had a number of meetings with arms of the Government to try to curb the number of accidents.”
Dr Nanhanga said he was happy that they have not yet witnessed any bus accidents, which shows that their bus drivers were cautious on the road and were observing road regulations.
“As of now we have not had any disasters and we are expecting that we will not have any bus accidents during this festive season. The buses which came are also going to rural areas and the transport challenges are being looked after in the urban, intercity and rural areas,” he said.
Online Reporter