'No bus-fare hikes'

Public transport operators have moved to dispel reports that a steep increase in bus fares is imminent.

The Coaches and Bus Operators Association (CBOA) on Sunday came out in support of government's toll fees increase "because this will allow the country to enhance the country's infrastructure in the anticipated growth of Zimbabwe's economy."

In a statement late last night, CBOA chief executive officer, Alex Kautsiro, said reports regarding fare - increases were untrue.

"The assertions that are making rounds in the media that we are considering increasing fares in response to the adjustment in toll fees are untrue. The 33% increment on our vehicles from $3 to $4 and where the maximum number of toll gates per route is four does not warrant an adjustment in fares," said Kautsiro.

He said government was justified in effecting the toll fees hikes to ‘enhance our road infrastructure'.

"Fortunately for us, we were aware of the issues that warranted the adjustment in toll fees as highlighted by our minister (Transport and Infrastructural Development Obert Mpofu), so, yes we feel there is total justification in the increase as this will allow our country to enhance our road infrastructure in the anticipated growth of our economy," he said.

The CBOA chief called on Zimbabweans to take note that infrastructural development would go a long way in creating employment and contribute to the growth of the country's economy.

"As citizens of Zimbabwe, we should also realise that infrastructure development is a sure way of creating employment as has been seen with the Plumtree to Mutare roads. A lot of business and employment can be generated by the rehabilitation of our trunk roads," Kautsiro said.

"Our members firstly appreciate the consideration Mpofu gave our passenger and transportation sector by adjusting the toll fees nominally from $3 to $4 as this cushioned our members. Our members have had the desire to see our road infrastructure being developed as this will ultimately enhance our efficiency, as our vehicles will have a much longer life span, thereby saving the country resources as vehicles will be replaced after a longer period, along with tyres, suspension spares and other consumables."

He added: "We hope that these are first steps towards enhancing accessibility for our citizens to appropriate transportation which not only is cost efficient, but also increases passenger safety and comfort, which we hope will help our country grow economically."

There have been media reports that following the toll fees hikes, transport operators would be forced to increase inner-city routes fares.

Government last week gazetted the toll roads (Regional Trunk Road Network) (Amendment) Regulations, 2014 under SI 106/2014 which increased toll fees for light vehicles from $1 to $2. Minibuses toll fees were hiked from $2 to $3 and buses from $3 to $4. Heavy vehicles are now being charged $5 up from $4, while haulage trucks are now paying $10 up from $5.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights last week unsuccessfully tried to halt the toll fees hikes through a high court chamber application whose judgement was reserved. The toll fees hikes came into effect on July 11.