NEW: ZUPCO on track to roll out 500 new buses after delays

Lincoln Towindo

After a nearly year-long delay, the wheels of ZUPCO’s massive bus acquisition project are finally turning.

The state-owned public transporter, under the Mutapa Investment Fund, has now secured key procurement processes, including supplier agreements and financial arrangements, setting the stage for the purchase of 500 new buses in the next three months.

ZUPCO’s long-awaited bus fleet expansion, which was initially announced in October 2023, promises to ease transportation challenges faced by commuters across Zimbabwe.

The acquisition, which was initially stalled due to logistical and financing issues, is now back on track.

Mutapa Investment Fund chief executive Dr John Mangudya confirmed the development, saying what remained was to fulfil the financial terms agreed with suppliers before gradual procurement begins.

“The fund managed to closely work with Zupco on finalising the process of procurement of buses,” said Dr Mangudya.

“This should see Zupco acquiring new buses in the next three months and procurement of semi-knocked down kits from Ashok Leyland of India for the assembly of buses and trucks at Willowvale Motor Industries and Deven Engineering.”

He said procurement of the buses will be gradual.

“Zupco has been on this process for a long time — going up and down trying to acquire 500 buses,” he added. “It has taken time to go through the requisite procurement processes.

“What is left now is to ensure that the financial terms agreed between Zupco and the suppliers are fulfilled. Procurement will then start gradually over the next few months.”

Dr Mangudya said the bus acquisition was part of a broader dual strategy that will see the revival of local bus and truck assembly through Willowvale Motor Industries and Deven Engineering.

The plan includes the procurement of semi-knocked down kits from Indian manufacturer Ashok Leyland for local assembly.

A memorandum of understanding has already been signed between Ashok Leyland and the Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe (IDCZ) to support this initiative.

“This is now a two-pronged approach,” Dr Mangudya explained. “On one hand, Zupco will be directly procuring buses from suppliers. At the same time, we want to enhance and revive local manufacturing through the assembly of buses and trucks in Zimbabwe.”