Andrew
Mr Enock Ticharwa, an associate at the Public Service Commission (PSC), commutes every day from his home in Shamva to his work station at head office in Harare.
He could look for a place to stay in Harare, but prefers to continue living in Shamva.
“My choice to commute is made possible by the PSC buses,” he says.
“If it weren’t for these buses and the economical fares they charge, then that would be a different story altogether.”
Mr Ticharwa pays $96 for a one-way commute from Shamva to Harare via Bindura.
His daily commute to and from work cost him $192.
“If I was using kombis I would need US$10 daily, since it costs US$5 to commute one way,” Mr Ticharwa explains.
All in all, Ticharwa makes a saving of $4 190 on transport daily, using the interbank foreign currency exchange rate.
This translates to monthly savings of up to $83 800.
“Additionally, because I am not living in Harare where rentals are more expensive, I save more by staying at my house in Shamva,” he added.
Mr Ticharwa is grateful for the PSC buses.
“Every evening I am able to retire home with my family, having saved so much. It makes a lot of economic sense. I am very grateful that our employer, Government, saw it fit to provide us with such convenience and savings.” Mr Ticharwa is just but one of thousands of civil servants who commute on PSC buses daily.
The PSC provides bus transport service for Government workers countrywide as a non-monetary benefit geared to provide commuting convenience and cushion them from higher transport costs.
As at year end 2021, the PSC had a fleet 113 buses criss-crossing the width and breadth of the country.
With reliable and affordable transportation, workers are guaranteed to get to work every day without fail (barring an occasional breakdown once in a while). Travelling with colleagues on these buses is also an added advantage as this provides opportunities for bonding.
As is normal with most groups in contemporary times, commuters plying similar routes have a common WhatsApp group where information on scheduling is shared.
“We keep each other informed and stay in touch on the WhatsApp group,” added Mr Ticharwa.
Although the current fleet, goes a long way in providing the transportation and convenience required by civil servants, more buses are needed to provide a seamless service.
Therefore, more buses are outsourced from private bus owners.
In 2021, several initiatives were undertaken to strengthen and improve the bus service.
These initiatives include:
A sustainable Transport Management Committee was established, comprising stakeholders from different Ministries;
A tracking system has been rolled out. As at the end of 2021, 48 buses were on the tracking system. Efforts are underway to ensure more buses are included on this system. Bus tracking helps to manage the fleet, enhance security of the buses, monitor driving behaviour, keeping drivers on approved routes, and saving fuel;
In line with technological advances, a tap and go electronic ticketing system was introduced. As at 31 December 2021, 16 000 tap cards had been issued out, while procurement for an additional 25 000 tap cards had been effected in order to boost the electronic ticketing system;
Inter-town daily buses were introduced for the following routes: Zvishavane – Mberengwa; Harare – Norton and Harare – Makumbe Mission; and
- Monthly shopping trips to nearest town for rural civil servants who work in rural areas.
This is part of a series of articles by the Public Service Commission aimed at engaging with and updating the public on matters of public interest that fall within its mandate. For comments, enquiries and questions, please write to [email protected]. Call: +263 242 700881-3 or 793926. WhatsApp +263 788 584 848 For more on the PSC and its programmes, visit www.psc.gov.zw or follow-on Facebook Zimbabwe Public Service Commission or Twitter @Public Service Commission Zimbabwe or LinkedIn Public Service Commission Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter