By Marvellous Matswimbo
The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) hiked it’s fares last week, a move which has made the company unpopular amongst Bulawayo residents.
The state-controlled transport operator hiked transport fares to US$1 or $800RTGS which is more than private transport fares which are pegged at $400RTGS for low density suburbs and $600RTGS for high density suburbs.
“Zupco’s new fares are unreasonable considering that it’s a state owned transport operator, the fares should be accommodative to all people considering the economic meltdown in the country but now private operators are even a better option”, said Varaidzo, a Cowdray Park resident.
She added: “The government knows the situation in the country and it’s something that needs no explanation but they seem reluctant in feeding their own pockets instead of fixing the economy or atleast putting its citizens first.”
Initially, Zupco fares were pegged at $300 for a distance of 1-20km, $400 for 21-30km and $550 for 31-40km in local currency or foreign currency equivalent to the inter-bank exchange rate.
Samuel Matengo, a Nketa 9 resident said Zupco’s new fares are not corresponding with the inter-bank exchange rate but they are leaning on the black market rate.
“If I’m not mistaken the official bank exchange rate is US$1:$635RTGS but Zupco is charging $800 or $1 which is unfair to the people who are expected to follow regulations that the government itself is failing to adhere to”, said Matengo
“We are now going back to the private operators that they don’t want on the road because they are now the better option for us”, he added
Sandra Ndlovu said the government is trying to loot people’s monies yet civil servants are still earning amounts that cannot sustain them and their families.
“This is a government company and all they want is loot people’s hard earned monies in the name of transport fares. If we look at the salaries of civil servants, they are paid using the inter-bank rate but transport is charged using the black market rate meaning that some of them will now be working for transport fares only nothing else”, said Ndlovu
“This shows a total failure by the government, who would opt to use $2 for transport in a day when they can just use a $1 on private transport, Zupco is losing customers and its becoming unpopular amongst a lot of people”, she added
Sizakele Hlabangane highlighted that Zupco buses are not reliable and the prize hikes will now give people a lea-way to go to private omnibuses.
“Zupco does not even have reliable services, so if l can get private omnibuses anywhere, whats the need to wait for 30minutes for a Zupco bus and pay a $1 when l can pay half the amount on a private transport”, said Hlabangane