Published by the government of Zimbabwe
25 December 2008
Harare — BUS and commuter omnibus operators yesterday took advantage of the festive season to charge exorbitant fares in foreign currency with those in Harare asking for US$1 a trip, twice what they had been charging in the local currency equivalent up to now.
The Government immediately warned those who were overcharging or quoting fares in foreign currency that the full wrath of the law would be applied against them.
The Minister of Transport and Communications, Cde Christopher Mushohwe, urged commuters to report those breaking the law to the police or to the National Incomes and Pricing Commission.
He said those who felt they had been ripped off or inconvenienced by transport operators should contact Mr A. Sango (011212 919 or 0913 288 943), Mrs J. Mathema 011 212 920, Mr J. Pedzapasi (011212 918) or call toll-free number 011 305 205.
"The Ministry of Transport and Communications is going to take these reports very seriously, thus any operators/service providers who shall be caught on the wrong side of the law shall be dealt with decisively.
"They risk having their operators' licences and route authorities immediately withdrawn," said Cde Mushohwe in a statement yesterday.
Before illegally dollarising their fares, buses were charging the equivalent of US$0,50 in local currency. This 50c fare is the same as that charged in most cities in neighbouring countries for travel between suburbs and the city centre and there was no explanation why Zimbabwean operators not only switched to foreign currency, but doubled their fares.
The same high forex fares were charged on longer routes.
Bus and commuter omnibus operators were asking for R150 for a trip to Mutare, the same as many bus operators charge for the Johannesburg run, which is four times as long.
The fare to Nyamapanda was R100, to Birchenough Bridge R200 and for Masvingo R100. Travellers to Bulawayo were being asked
to pay with 20-litre fuel coupons.
Other destinations such as Gweru cost R100, Kariba R200, Chinhoyi R50, Karoi R100 and Beitbridge R150.
Yet legal forex fares to neighbouring countries were far less for each kilometre travelled.
Most buses plying the Johannesburg route, which is about 1 100 km, are charging anything between R150 and R250, Lusaka R150 and Gaborone R300.
As a result hundreds of travellers shunned buses and kombis opting for open trucks and private cars.
A survey by The Herald showed that there were a few people at Mbare Musika but several hundreds intending to travel to Masvingo were waiting for lorries and private cars at Mbudzi along Masvingo Road while those intending to travel to Mutare, Marondera and Rusape were at Roadport Bus Terminus.
The bus stop along Samora Machel Avenue at the Showgrounds was teeming with travellers waiting for lifts to Norton, Chegutu, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Gweru and Bulawayo.
Mbare Musika, which is usually a hive of activity during this period, was virtually deserted with only those people whose destinations were served by conventional buses that were said to have left early in the morning.
The National Railways of Zimbabwe that was charging fares in local currency increased its fares yesterday in time for the festive season.
An economy ticket to Bulawayo rose from $1 billion to $10 billion while a standard ticket to Bulawayo went up from $1,5 billion to $15 billion.
Standard fares to Mutare rose from $900 million to $8,8 billion and an economy ticket asshot up from $600 million to $5,9 billion.
The fare increases drove away passengers since the railway station, which is always busy, was also almost empty in the afternoon although some travellers interviewed said they were likely to return to the railway station in te hevening if they could not find alternative transport.
Travellers interviewed expressed shock at the operators' actions and wondered how they had arrived at the figures.
Mrs Netsai Dororo ,who wanted to travel to Chiredzi which is served by Kukura Kurerwa and Zupco buses, said she could not board the buses the early morning buses because there was too much pressure.
"I arrived here as early as 4am but there was only one Kukura Kurerwa bus going to Chiredzi. They were charging R200 or $34 billion," she said.
Mr Ernest Sithole from Chipinge said he had failed to find affordable transport to his rural home.
"I will have to go by train as it is now late. Buses at Mbare Musika are very expensive," said.
Mr Thomas Hwekwere, who wanted to travel to Birchenough Bridge, said if he travelled to his rural home after paying R200, he would be left with nothing to spend for his family.
"Were do these people think we will get that kind of money from when we earn local currency? How do I raise R400 for a trip to and from my rural areas and still have money to enjoy the festive season?" he asked.
Mr Tinashe Giro, who was travelling to Chisumbanje and was also asked to pay R200, blasted commuter operators accusing them of giving travellers a raw deal.
He said he was contemplating cancelling the journey to save money for school fees.
'These people are just charging these fares unilaterally. How do they arrive at such figures when a litre of petrol costs between US$0,80 and U$1?" he said.
Commuter omnibuses plying Harare routes were since Monday also accepting US$1 (Z$1 billion) per trip while those plying the Chitungwiza route were charging US$2 (Z$2 billion).
In his statement, the minister urged transport operators to travel safely, timeously and desist from exceeding speed limits during the Christmas period.
He ordered operators to comply with the prescribed criteria for drivers which require that they be over 25 years old and hold a valid defensive driving certificate. In addition, the law requires that all vehicles should be roadworthy.
"Overloading of buses is not permitted either. Driving under the influence of alcohol is an offence and is totally condemned.
"Unscrupulous operators who overwork their drivers all for the sake of maximising profits and putting the lives of passengers at risk are not welcome in the transport industry," he said.
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