The National Railways of Zimbabwe has allocated additional passenger coaches to service its destinations during school opening days next week. In a statement yesterday, NRZ spokesperson Mr Fanuel Masikati said the extra coaches would cater for the anticipated transport shortages during the period.

"The National Railways of Zimbabwe has put in place additional passenger train coaches in anticipation of increased demand for rail service during the schools opening period next week.

"Having realised that during the schools opening period children usually get stranded at bus termini, the NRZ will boost the capacity of passenger trains countrywide by allocating additional passenger coaches to cater for school children travelling back to school next week.

"The NRZ is geared to ferry school children during the schools opening period and would like to appeal to parents to book and buy tickets on time in order to avoid inconveniences," he said.

In an interview, Mr Masikati outlined the advantages of using trains.

"We are the safest mode of transport and we strive to stick to scheduled times. Our departure times do not change with coaches leaving Harare for Bindura at 12 noon while the Chinhoyi coach leaves Harare at 12.15.

"Trains to other long distance destinations such as Mutare, Bulawayo, Beitbridge, Plumtree depart at their usual times in the evenings to arrive in the early hours to allow further connections."