Zupco goes shopping for intra-city buses

Victor Maphosa Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) will this month dispatch a team to South Africa to shop for convenient buses that can be used for intra-city routes, as Government tries to come up with an efficient urban mass transport system that decongests cities, it has been learnt.

Zupco chief executive officer Mr Clifford Muwoni said the purchases could possibly be made from a South Africa-based Chinese manufacturer.

Experts say congestion, especially in the capital’s central business district (CBD) has been inconveniencing for both commuters and industry.

“Zupco is dispatching a team to SA this month to explore business possibilities with Chinese companies in the business of manufacturing buses,” said Mr Muwoni.

“Our aim is to provide efficient transport system, mainly in cities where, for example, in Harare there is too much public transport congestion, and we are coming in with affordable and efficient transport system.”
A Chinese company in South Africa, he said, had offered the State-owned enterprise better buses that were specifically adapted for the African terrain.

“The Chinese said their new buses are suitable for the African terrain, so we are going to SA to see if we can reach an agreement,” said Mr Muwoni.

“Two months ago, we visited Brazil where we saw good buses, which we can easily use as shuttles, especially in cities like Harare and Bulawayo.

“After our trip to SA, we would be able to decide on the way to go depending with the best offer we are going to get on the market.”

Mr Muwoni said they will not only buy buses for urbanites, but also cater for the rural population.
Said Mr Muwoni: “We will procure buses not only for the town people, but we discovered that even our rural passengers are having problems to travel from point A to B, so we have them in mind. Brand new busses are coming their way also.”

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo recently intimated that central Government was seized with the reform of the urban mass transport system.

“Further, I inform all residents of the Metropolitan Province (Harare) that renewal of the city and other local authorities, along with the orderly restructuring of the city’s public transport system, will be properly undertaken by central Government,” said Minister Moyo in a statement last month.

“All stakeholders, including transport operators, businesses, residents and vendors, through their respective representatives, will be consulted for smooth execution.

“Already, significant steps towards developing a transport masterplan for the metropolitan province of Harare have been undertaken.”