Passengers travelling from Johannesburg to Bulawayo say cross-border bus fares have increased sharply, with some claiming operators have doubled their usual prices as demand for travel to Zimbabwe rises.

Several travellers said they were forced to pay between R1,000 and R1,200 for trips that normally cost between R600 and R700.

'We had no choice but to pay'

Mbulelo Ndlovu, who travelled from Johannesburg to Bulawayo, said he was caught off guard when he arrived at the bus rank and discovered that fares had increased significantly.

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"From Joburg to Bulawayo, we usually pay between R600 and R700," he said.

"Yesterday when I got to the rank, I was told the bus fare was now R1 000. The bus I wanted to board was already full, so I had to take the next one, which charged R1 200."

According to Ndlovu, some operators had initially quoted fares as high as R1 400 before reducing them.

"It is bad, but we thank God we arrived safely in Bulawayo," he said.

Other passengers also described unusually high fares, saying they had little choice but to pay because buses were filling up quickly.

Bus fares jump as demand rises

The fare increases come as South Africa experiences heightened tensions over illegal immigration following the recent anti-illegal immigration march.

Some travellers believe more Zimbabweans are opting to return home, increasing demand for cross-border buses.

While passengers suspect some operators are capitalising on the surge in demand, there is no independent confirmation that the fare increases are directly linked to the march.

Long-distance bus fares between South Africa and Zimbabwe typically fluctuate depending on demand, particularly during holidays and peak travel periods.

Bus operators yet to comment

Several cross-border bus operators were contacted for comment on the reported fare increases and whether they reflect higher operating costs or increased demand, and had not responded by time of publication.