Pictures: Transport Woes Continue In Harare
Commuters have continued to face transport challenges in Harar despite the addition of some more buses to the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) fleet recently.
The government recently announced plans to allow private-owned commuter omnibuses to return after they were banned in 2020 to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
While the situation is said to have improved, commuters are still queueing for hours, especially during peak hours, waiting for their turn to be picked. Pindula News observed elongated queues at Chinhoyi Street Bus Terminus, commonly known as Copa Cabana, and Market Square terminus on Wednesday evening. See pictures below.
Around 1900 hours, some Kombi operators were refusing to ferry commuters saying they had already done their last trips. Said one conductor who spoke to this reporter:
NeCongestion iyi hmm, todzoka nguvai tikakutakurai? [There is vehicle congestion, what time will we back if we ferry you?]
Commuters begged the conductor saying, “you’re our last hope, do you want us to sleep in town?” Still, the conductor refused to listen.
Commuters also expressed concern about a 120 per cent fare hike. ZUPCO yesterday increased Kombi fares from ZW$100 to ZW$220 while bus fares were increased from ZW$80 to ZW$120 for local trips.
Observers blame transport challenges on the ZUPCO monopoly.
