16 February 2022
0930hrs CAT
Zim GBC News
Prosperity Sikhosana
www.zimgbcmedia.co.zw
Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) bus and kombi fares have increased effectively.
In a notice, buses ferrying passengers from a distance of 0 to 20 kilometres will be charging ZWL$80, whilst at 21 to 30 kilometres will be ZWL$100, 31 to 40km at ZWL$120.
Omnibus (Kombis) will be charging passengers ZWL$100 for a distance of 0 to 20km, ZWL$120 for 21 to 30km.
The fares are moving from ZWL$50 (bus) and ZWL$80 (omnibus).
ZUPCO is the government subsidised lowest charging public transporter though it has been widely scrutinised for lacking the ability to contain the number of passengers and its Kombi drivers drive dangerously on the road.
In the past few months, news has been awash of accidents and robberies on ZUPCO buses and kombis.
However, the matter of shortage of buses and the need to have old ones replaced is constantly being addressed by the President Emmerson Mnangagwa through the release of new ones every now and then.
The latest increase in Zupco fares comes at the backdrop of sticking teachers who have failed to return to work citing poor salaries.
Teachers and the civil service’s remuneration has been hard hit by inflation that has seen basic food prices skyrocketing.
While prices of everything else increased to curb inflationary fizzures, salaries have been stagnant.
This has led to a stand off between the educators on one hand and the employer on the other.
Teachers who failed to report for class when schools opened were said to have been suspended.
The latest increase in bus fares will exacerbate the stand off as teachers rely on Zupco for their transport needs.
Zim GBC News