News / National
Holiday travellers stranded as transport operators hike fares
30 Mar 2013 at 05:12hrs | Views
HARARE - Rural commuters have appealed to the authorities to stop the wanton increase of fares by unscrupulous bus operators who have forced scores of commuters to throng illegal pick-up points looking for alternative transport.
The travelling public says transport operators have hiked fares to various destinations this Easter holidays to capitalise on desperate travellers.
In Harare travellers at Mbare Musika bus terminus, were yesterday milling around saying they were waiting for cheaper buses to transport them to their rural homes.
The travellers appealed to the relevant authorities to come to their rescue and put in place measures to curb the exorbitant fare increases which further erode their meagre incomes which are already over stretched with the long holiday.
"We are having transport problems because they have hiked fares. Some have trebled and we do not have such kind of money. We are saying government should look into the issue and even bring back ZUPCO buses," said one traveller.
The fares have reportedly been doubled with buses travelling to Gutu charging $20 up from $8, Bulawayo buses are charging between $15 and $20, while Murehwa is reported to have increased from $3 to $8.
Meanwhile, the police are out in full force at some illegal terminuses such as the show grounds and many commuters were stranded.
It has become a habit for bus operators during major holidays to hike fares and government is on record saying this move is illegal and operators should stick to the gazetted fares.
The travelling public says transport operators have hiked fares to various destinations this Easter holidays to capitalise on desperate travellers.
In Harare travellers at Mbare Musika bus terminus, were yesterday milling around saying they were waiting for cheaper buses to transport them to their rural homes.
The travellers appealed to the relevant authorities to come to their rescue and put in place measures to curb the exorbitant fare increases which further erode their meagre incomes which are already over stretched with the long holiday.
"We are having transport problems because they have hiked fares. Some have trebled and we do not have such kind of money. We are saying government should look into the issue and even bring back ZUPCO buses," said one traveller.
The fares have reportedly been doubled with buses travelling to Gutu charging $20 up from $8, Bulawayo buses are charging between $15 and $20, while Murehwa is reported to have increased from $3 to $8.
Meanwhile, the police are out in full force at some illegal terminuses such as the show grounds and many commuters were stranded.
It has become a habit for bus operators during major holidays to hike fares and government is on record saying this move is illegal and operators should stick to the gazetted fares.
Source - zbc
