Hundreds of travellers stranded

Hundreds of long distance travellers were stranded in Bulawayo yesterday as transport operators shunned long routes, taking advantage of the high demand for transport.

People have started travelling to various destinations for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The operators have also resorted to charging the same fares, regardless of distance.

A survey at Renkini Long Distance Bus Terminus, along First Avenue and at Marc's garage yesterday afternoon revealed that long distance travellers had been waiting to get transport since as early as 4am.

In separate interviews, travellers going to places such as Mutare and Chiredzi complained that transport operators were taking advantage of the situation and going only as far as Masvingo.

"We arrived at this place (Renkini) at about 4am hoping to get to Mutare at least before the end of the day, but the situation here would not allow us.

"Several buses have come and gone and the conductors are simply telling us that their destination is Masvingo. This is just not fair," said Mr Tapiwa Mugadza.

He said it was not possible for them to travel to Masvingo then look for transport to get to Mutare as it would be too expensive.

"They are charging between US$15 to US$20 to get to Masvingo then the same amount from Masvingo to Mutare," he said.

Another traveller, Mrs Maria Ncube, said she and her family had decided to sleep in a bus, which would leave for Chiredzi today.

"We came here as early as 5am but there is no way we can travel this afternoon because it is already late. Now we have to sleep in a bus which I was made to understand is leaving for Chiredzi tomorrow (today)."

She urged relevant authorities to take necessary action to curb unscrupulous behaviour by bus companies during holidays.

"We need assurance when we are travelling because we have little time to spend with our loved ones during the holidays. Transport operators do not even care about us. All they want is money. Someone has to do something," she said.

Another man who was on transit to Kadoma and refused to be named said he had to wait for cheaper transport as he had budgeted for the usual fare.
"The situation has suddenly changed here, US$15 to Kadoma is too much because I had budgeted for the usual US$7. I know transport operators do this every year but this year it is just too much because it is not easy to get these United States dollars," he said.

An official from Jomo Transport who preferred anonymity said transport was always a problem during this time of the year.

"We sent a total of seven buses out although some of them would not proceed to Mutare because too many people are travelling and they have to be ferried to their destinations.

"It is not true that we are shunning long distances. The demand for transport is generally high and such situations are normal," he said.

He said it was also difficult to take extra people, as they could not risk paying fines to the police.

"The police are charging US$20 for overloading and we have to follow the rules to avoid paying fines since we are in business," he said.

Mr Mxolisi Ncube who drives a Zupco bus plying the Bulawayo-Nkayi route said his route had no problem but attributed the developments to the price increase of fuel.

"Those who are doing it are definitely doing it to get fast cash as shorter routes pay back quicker.

"The price increase of fuel might also be another reason but the fares that most of these operators are charging are not reasonable," said Mr Ncube.