NRZ suspends services

Lethokuhle Moyo Chronicle Reporter
THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has suspended the Bulawayo-Beitbridge passenger train service with immediate effect to facilitate rehabilitation works in a move that is likely to affect cross-border shoppers the most.
In a statement released yesterday, NRZ public relations manager Fanuel Masikati said services would be suspended for six weeks and the suspension would be lifted on a date to be advised.

“The National Railways of Zimbabwe wishes to advise its valued travelling public that the Bulawayo-Beitbridge passenger train service has been temporarily suspended for a period of approximately six weeks, starting from Sunday, July 27, 2014,” reads part of the statement.

“This train is popular with cross-border shoppers who travel to South Africa and back. The suspension is meant to make way for the upgrading of the railway infrastructure between Mbalabala and Esigodini section of the railway line.”

Masikati said the NRZ had added additional passenger coaches to the existing passenger trains on other routes to cater for the anticipated increased volumes as schools close as well as during the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays.

“Meanwhile, on Harare-Bulawayo, Bulawayo-Victoria Falls, Harare-Mutare and Bulawayo-Chiredzi, Gweru-Masvingo, Harare-Chinhoyi and Harare-Bindura corridors the NRZ is geared to ferry holiday travellers for the Heroes’ and Defence Forces’ Holiday including schoolchildren after the schools closure,” he said.