Commuters bemoan fare hike of 100% by ZUPCO

By Tendai Chisiri
Commuters in Harare has castigated the increase in fares of 100% by the Zimbabwe United Passengers Company(ZUPCO)  on Monday.
ZUPCO the only means of public transport has increased its fares  to the chagrin of several commuters who regularly use the ZUPCO transport.
The increase in  the fares has seen price of ZWL$ 16 now costing ZWL $30 for a  bus and that of omnibuses being ZWL$60 from ZWL $32 for a distance of 1-20 km.Travelling on a 21- 30 km distance which used to cost ZWL $24 and ZWL $48 for the buses and  omnibuses now costs ZWL $45 and 90 respectively.
For a 31- 40 km distance passengers are now forking ZWL $90 from ZWL $48 for buses.
Mr Ben Chemazo of Chitungwiza who commutes to and for  Harare nearly everyday lamented the fare hike.
“The Government are the ones that regulate the prices in the country but if they charge exobirtant prices it becomes a pain. With the catastrophe of Covid-19, they should be helping to ease price hikes due to recession”, he said.
However whilst some were furious about the fare hikes, some gave a nod saying the good thing about the new prices is that the figures are rounded up.”We were tired of giving them ZWL $20 notes and not receiving change for the ZWL $16 ticket”, said a young mother on condition of anonymity.
Another commuter on condition of anonymity  said he will opt for the private cars which are charging ZWL $50 to get into town.

“Its because of the new ZWL$50 note that they have increased the fares .The whole note will be used without people getting a change.This is not good”, said a commuter from Highfield in amusement.

Secretary for Finance and Economic Development on 13   January advised Acting CEO of ZUPCO in a memo that their request for fares increase effective 1 January has been approved.
“Treasury notes the proposed fares for both buses and omnibuses which is necessitated by the reduced carrying capacities due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting constraint on revenues which negatively impacts on operations.
In this regard,the Treasury approved the review of buses and omnibuses…”, said Guvamatanga.