Passengers’ Association Wants ZUPCO Monopoly To End
The Passenger Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) has implored the government to break the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO)’s monopoly by licensing more private players to provide public transport services.
This follows yesterday’s chaos caused by ZUPCO’s inability to provide transport timeously, leaving thousands of commuters waiting in winding queues dejectedly in various terminuses in Harare.
The transport challenges were exacerbated by a police clampdown on mushikashika vehicles that have been filling the gap left by ZUPCO.
PAZ national coordinator Tafadzwa Goliati urged Government to consider licensing more private players so that the situation improves. He said:
While efforts to increase the number of buses through the importation of new coaches are noted and commended, we humbly recommend that the Government also augment its existing ZUPCO fleet with other alternative mass public transport initiatives.
Meanwhile, ZUPCO chief executive officer Everisto Madangwa said ZUPCO is expecting 50 more buses next week.
ZUPCO currently owns a fleet of 262 buses and at least 550 more from franchisees.
