Rural bus operators hike fares

Raymond Jaravaza, Zimpapers Reporter

TRAVELLERS heading to various destinations in the Matabeleland region and beyond are being forced to dig deep into their pockets after long-distance bus operators hiked fares ahead of the Christmas and New Year Holidays.

The festive season is in full swing, with Unity Day commemorations on Monday marking the start of the holiday period across the country.

The period is characterised by large volumes of people from different parts of the country and Diasporans from neighbouring South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, and some based in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, among other countries, who are travelling to their rural areas.

Yesterday, Bulawayo was a hive of activity as thousands of travellers were observed making their way to boarding places to get transport to rural areas in the Matabeleland region.

Major bus termini in the city were bustling with activity as scores of travellers jostled to board long-distance buses to their rural homes ahead of the Christmas holiday.

The hustle and bustle at Bulawayo’s bus termini reflected the excitement and determination of travellers eager to spend the holidays with loved ones in their homes.

To their disappointment, a majority of travellers said they were shocked to find out that fares had been hiked

At the Renkini long-distance bus termini in Makokoba, Entumbane and Nkulumane suburbs, the scenes were vibrant as passengers sought transport to destinations such as Binga, Nkayi, Tsholotsho, Plumtree, Filabusi and Gwanda.

At Entumbane Bus Terminus, travellers said bus fares to Lupane Business Centre and other rural areas had been hiked by 50 percent.

“I paid US$15 to Lupane Business Centre, a trip that costs US$10 on any other day. I’m disappointed by our bus operators, whom we have been supporting for years, for hiking bus fares just because it’s the festive season,” said Mr Mathius Sibanda.

“We have no choice but to pay the new bus fare to Lupane. I’m with my wife and two children and we travelled from South Africa to enjoy our Christmas holidays with family, so I have no choice but to pay the US$15 for each seat to Lupane.”

Mrs Elina Mpofu, a villager from Nkayi, was also disappointed when a trip home that usually costs between US$7 and US$8 was yesterday hiked to US$12.

“I was charged an extra US$10 for two door frames that I bought in Bulawayo to take home to Nkayi Centre. It has become a norm that we are charged more in bus fares during the festive season, but honestly, it’s not fair. Life is hard for all of us,” said Mrs Mpofu.

Chief Dakamela, born Mbuso Dakamela, urged bus operators not to hike bus fares.

“Singabantu banye (we are one people) and hiking bus fares to make extra profit is not the way to go. I urge bus operators to stick to the usual bus fares that they charge and desist from hiking the fares,” said Chief Dakamela.

Bus operator Mr Ntshali Hlabangana of Bafana Bafana Bus Services said hiking bus fares during the festive season was against their company policy.

“The same passengers that bus operators are demanding to pay more are the same people who support us throughout the year, so as a company we are against bus fare hikes,” said Mr Hlabangana.

On a lighter note, most passengers expressed excitement about reuniting with their families for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

At Renkini Bus Terminus, Mr Reason Moyo, who was transporting a newly purchased scotch cart to his rural home in Gwelutshena, Nkayi, shared his excitement.

“They charged me US$45 for the scotch cart. I’ve been saving for months to buy it, and I’m happy to finally take it home,” he said.

Vendors at Old Renkini Bus Terminus also enjoyed brisk business, capitalising on the surge in travellers.

At Entumbane Complex Bus Terminus, buses to Lupane, Binga, and Tsholotsho were packed with passengers, many of whom had bought groceries for their families back home.