adminThe development will also see the parastatal suspending commuter trains in Bulawayo and Harare between tomorrow and 6 January and the Bulawayo-Francistown train at the end of the month.
The new additional coaches, which would ply all the major routes like the Bulawayo-Harare, Bulawayo-Victoria Falls, Bulawayo-Beitbridge, Bulawayo-Chiredzi, Bulawayo-Sango, Harare-
Mutare and Gweru-Masvingo will be in effect on 17 December until 2 January.
“The NRZ would like to advise the travelling public that it has added some coaches to existing passenger trains that ply the major routes,” said Mr Fanuel Masikati, the NRZ public relations manager in a statement yesterday.
“Having realised that travellers including schoolchildren get stranded at bus termini during the holidays, the NRZ has provided additional coaches to cater for increased demand.”
Mr Masikati said the development was an indication of the parastatal’s commitment to the provision of alternative and affordable mode of transport to travellers.
He said the Bulawayo and Harare commuter trains will be suspended because most people who use them will be on the annual shutdown for the festive season.
“The Bulawayo-Francistown train service will be suspended between 26 December 2011 and 29 December 2011 with normal service resuming on 30 December. The service would again be suspended on 2 and 3 January and resume on 6 January,” he said.
Mr Masikati urged travellers to buy tickets and book their travel on time.
He encouraged travellers-to-be and the general public to abide by the regulations to avoid unnecessary injury while crossing railway lines.
Mr Masikati said people should only cross on designated crossing areas and avoid loitering or sitting on the rail track to avoid being run over by trains.
He appealed to operators of other modes of transport to exercise caution when approaching a level crossing to avoid accidents since there would be many trains.
Online Reporter