News / National
Zupco re-launches urban bus service
08 Nov 2011 at 08:10hrs | Views
THE Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) has reintroduced urban bus services in some high-density suburbs as part of the public transporter's ambition to return to dominance in the transport industry.
Zupco board vice chairman Mr Nelson Kangausaru said the company had re-launched services on the routes in order to ease transport shortages during peak hours.
"We have managed to reintroduce urban routes since October 17 2011 and for the meantime we are serving two routes, that is Kuwadzana Extension and Mabvuku," he said.
"We have realised that there is high demand for transport as commuter omnibuses are not coping with the population demand.
"Our future target is to service many routes and cover areas like Chitungwiza, Warren Park and Epworth," he said.
Mr Kangausaru said Zupco had a fleet of 64 buses and 13 were earmarked for Harare routes.
Passengers from Kuwadzana, where commuter omnibuses have a tendency of illegally doubling fares during peak hours, breathed a sigh of relief as Zupco buses made a return to the suburb.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, one of the passengers from Kuwadzana Extension, Tonderai Gumbo, said there is no longer congestion at the commuter omnibuses ranks as Zupco has relieved them.
"We are no longer reaching home late as we used to do. It is a welcome development because these Zupco buses are bigger than commuter omnibuses and can ferry many people at a time," he said.
Zupco last serviced urban routes in 2009 when it was operating in areas such as Mabvuku, Chitungwiza and Kuwadzana Extension.
The company has received support from Government in various forms, including debt inheritance as well as assisting in buying coaches.
Zupco board vice chairman Mr Nelson Kangausaru said the company had re-launched services on the routes in order to ease transport shortages during peak hours.
"We have managed to reintroduce urban routes since October 17 2011 and for the meantime we are serving two routes, that is Kuwadzana Extension and Mabvuku," he said.
"Our future target is to service many routes and cover areas like Chitungwiza, Warren Park and Epworth," he said.
Mr Kangausaru said Zupco had a fleet of 64 buses and 13 were earmarked for Harare routes.
Passengers from Kuwadzana, where commuter omnibuses have a tendency of illegally doubling fares during peak hours, breathed a sigh of relief as Zupco buses made a return to the suburb.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, one of the passengers from Kuwadzana Extension, Tonderai Gumbo, said there is no longer congestion at the commuter omnibuses ranks as Zupco has relieved them.
"We are no longer reaching home late as we used to do. It is a welcome development because these Zupco buses are bigger than commuter omnibuses and can ferry many people at a time," he said.
Zupco last serviced urban routes in 2009 when it was operating in areas such as Mabvuku, Chitungwiza and Kuwadzana Extension.
The company has received support from Government in various forms, including debt inheritance as well as assisting in buying coaches.
Source - Zimpapers
