The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has reversed its decision to suspend urban commuter train service less than 24 hours after announcing the move.
On Saturday, 26 November, NRZ public affairs and stakeholder relations manager Andrew Kunambura said the service would be suspended from Monday, 28 November.
But in a statement on Sunday, 27 November, Kunambura said he was withdrawing the previous statement. He said:
<blockquote>
NRZ hereby withdraws the press statement issued this Saturday 26 November 2022 on the [suspension of commuter train service].
The commuting public will be updated if there are any new developments.
Any inconvenience caused to our valued customers and other stakeholders is sincerely regretted.
</blockquote>
The NRZ commuter trains ply various routes in Harare and Bulawayo and were introduced last year through a partnership between the NRZ and the Zimbabwe Passenger Company (ZUPCO).
The introduction of commuter trains was aimed at lessening congestion and easing the transport challenges that urban commuters were facing.
Yesterday, Kunambura said the suspension of the service was necessitated by ZUPCO’s failure to pay overdue fees. He said:
<blockquote>
The suspension was occasioned by an unsustainable operating environment arising from huge debts owed to NRZ by ZUPCO.
NRZ was therefore left with no option but to suspend commuter trains from 28 November due to capacity challenges.
Normal services will resume once ZUPCO fulfills its obligations as set in the agreement.
Any inconvenience caused to our valued customers is sincerely regretted.
</blockquote>
NRZ’s U-turn will come as a huge relief to commuters as trains provide a cheaper mode of transport compared to kombis.

Pindula News

NRZ Reverses Decision To Suspend Commuter Trains

National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) board chairperson Martin Dinha has implored the government to subsidise the urban commuter train service to enable the parastatal to continue serving members of the public.
Dinha said this in a speech read on his behalf during the launch of the third edition of the NRZ National Safety Week, which is also commemorated by Southern Africa Railway Association members.
The theme for the commemorations this year was “Be Vigilant around Tracks, Trains are fast but too slow to stop”. Said Dinha:
<blockquote>
Our passenger service, particularly in the commuter trains such as the ones that run in Luveve, Cowdry Park, are never profit-oriented world over but community and social-based. We are basically serving the community.
In conjunction with ZUPCO, we request the government to provide a subsidy for commuter train services which we offer in urban areas.
… We continue to rely on government support to ensure we achieve the objective of turning around the fortunes of this great entity.
As we go into the twilight zone of the turnaround phase, we have been geared for this transformation so that we bring NRZ to its rightful position in terms of influencing our economy.
</blockquote>
Dinha expressed concern over the increase in unsafe activities around the railway tracks which include railroad-level crossing accidents, suicides on the tracks, stone throwing, vandalism, illegal gold panning and mining.
He appealed to line Ministries and other government departments to assist the NRZ in protecting the national infrastructure.
The NRZ first introduced commuter trains (commonly known as Freedom Trains) in Harare and Bulawayo in 2001.
The company suspended the service in 2020 following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic but reintroduced it in 2021 in partnership with the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO). | <a href="https://newziana.co.zw/2022/10/13/government-urged-to-subsidise-the-urban-commuter-train-service/">New Ziana</a>

Govt Urged To Subsidise NRZ Commuter Service

The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) is paying the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) ZW$14 million (about US$150 538 using the official rate) a month, for providing an urban commuter transport service.
ZUPCO is the sole intra-city public transport provider but has failed to meet demand. In a bid to provide adequate transport for urban dwellers, ZUPCO partnered NRZ for the latter to avail its locomotives for transporting commuters for a fee.
According to an internal memo addressed to NRZ employees, ZUPCO says it pays ZW$24 000 per coach per day, translating to about ZW$14 million per month. The memo, dated 14 October 2021, reads in part:
<blockquote>
NRZ and ZUPCO have partnered in providing urban commuter transport service in Harare and are expected to commence the service in Bulawayo soon.
The partnership entails Zupco providing fuel, personal protective equipment and on-board staff whilst NRZ provides commuter trains and crews and in return paid ZW$24 000 per coach per day translating to about ZW$14 million per month.
</blockquote>
NRZ requires at least 40 more locomotives, 300 new and modern coaches and 300 wagons, for it to be able to meet some of the service requirements.
Currently, the NRZ has about 40 locomotives, but some of them are not functional, while others have outlived their lifespan of 25 years.
<h4>More: <a href="https://thenewshawks.com/zupco-pays-nrz-zw14m-monthly/">The NewsHawks</a></h4>

ZUPCO Pays NRZ $14 Million Monthly For Commuter Trains

National Railways of ZimbabweNRZ has announced its decision to resume commuter train service in Bulawayo 6 months after the service was suspended due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The matter came to light in a statement that was published by NRZ Publlic relations officer Nyasha Mataranyika that revealed that the commuter train service will start operating on Monday 2 November 2020:
<blockquote>In addition to the City-Cowdray Park Route which has been running since 5 November 2018, an additional service will be introduced on the City- Emganwini route.
The extension of the service to Emganwini follows requests by residents and civic leaders for the NRZ to extend the commuter service for people staying in the south-western suburbs of the city. The City- Mganwini train will leave the Bulawayo Station at 0500 Hours and arrive at Khami at 0530 Hours.
It will leave Khami at 0600 Hours and arrive at the Bulawayo station at 0650 Hours. For the evening run, it will leave Bulawayo Station at 1720 Hours arriving at Khami at 1820 Hours. The return trip leaves Khami at 1845 Hours and arrives in the city at 1915 Hours
The morning service to Cowdray Park leaves Bulawayo Station at 0410 hours and arrives at Pasi Pasi at 0525 Hours.
It leaves for the city at 0545 Hours arriving at Bulawayo Station at 0700 Hours. In the evening, the train will leave Bulawayo Station at 1730 Hours and arrive at 1845 Hours.
It departs Pasi Pasi at 1905 Hours and arrives at Bulawayo Station at 2040 Hours. The commuter train service will run from Monday to Friday and there will be no service during weekends and public holidays.
NRZ has put in place measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Coaches will be disinfected every day.
Passengers will also have their temperature measured and hands washed or sanitised before boarding the train. People suspected to be infected with Covid-19 will not be allowed to board the train.
Passengers will be required to wear face masks in adherence to Covid-19 regulations. Passengers without face masks will not be allowed to board the train. Security personnel will be deployed aboard trains to ensure strict enforcement of Covid-19 regulations</blockquote>
Passengers can pay their traifares using using cash, Point of Sale (POS) machines or Ecocash according to NRZ.
More: <a href="https://zimmorningpost.com/nrz-resumes-commuter-train-service-in-bulawayo/">Zim Morning Post </a>

Commuter Train Service To Resume In Bulawayo - NRZ

National  Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) public relations officer Nyasha Maravanyika confirmed the parastatal has hiked fares by 100 percent.
Maravanyika said the price hike has been necessitated by an increase in the organisation’s operational expenses which have been caused by high cost of spares. Said Maravanyika
<blockquote>NRZ would like to advise members of the travelling public of a new fare structure for the City-Cowdray Park Commuter Train service. Starting on Monday 4 February 2019, there will be separate fares for children and adults. Single ride fares for adults will go up from 50 cents to $1. Children and school children in uniform will continue paying 50 cents. Students at tertiary institutions of learning will pay $1 while a multiple ride budget ticket will go up from $4.50 to $9. The multiple-ride budget ticket is valid for 10 trips. The adjustment in the prices of fares has been necessitated by an increase in the organisation’s operational expenses which have been caused by high cost of spares.</blockquote>
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<h4>Related:</h4>
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<h3 class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/01/21/nrz-increases-commuter-passanger-train-coaches-in-bulawayo/" rel="bookmark">NRZ Increases Commuter Passanger Train Coaches In Bulawayo</a></h3>
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<h3><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/11/01/nrz-reintroduces-commuter-passenger-trains/">NRZ Reintroduces Commuter Passenger Trains</a></h3>
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More: <a href="https://mailandtelegraph.com/2019/02/04/commuter-train-fares-go-up-by-100-percent/">Mail and Telegraph</a>

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