Sharp rise in transport fares across Zimbabwe

Commuters across Zimbabwe's cities and towns are facing steep increases in transport fares following the latest fuel price adjustment announced by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA).

New fuel prices saw diesel rising to US$2.05 per litre and petrol (blend E5) increasing to US$2.17, up from US$1.77 and US$1.71 respectively. These increases follow earlier price levels of US$1.52 for diesel and US$1.56 for petrol, reflecting a sharp upward trend in a short period.

ZERA attributed the increases to global oil market disruptions linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The regulator said it is working with oil traders to secure supply routes while monitoring cost pressures that necessitate periodic price reviews to avoid shortages and arbitrage.

However, the impact has been most strongly felt by commuters, who say transport operators have responded by raising fares significantly, often without clear justification. In some cases, fares on certain routes have risen to as much as US$3 during peak hours, particularly on longer routes such as those connecting Chitungwiza and Norton to central business districts.

Commuters have expressed frustration over what they describe as inconsistent and disproportionate fare increases, noting that transport costs tend to rise quickly when fuel prices go up but rarely decrease when fuel becomes cheaper.

The situation has drawn concern from the Passengers Association of Zimbabwe, whose president Tafadzwa Goliath said the scale of the increases is alarming and out of step with regional trends. The association plans to engage authorities urgently to seek a resolution.

The rising costs are also affecting employers who subsidise transport for their workers, with some reportedly reducing or withdrawing support as expenses become unsustainable.

Workers, represented by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, say they are bearing the brunt of the increases. Its secretary-general Florence Taruvinga said rising fuel costs are cascading through the economy, eroding wages and increasing the cost of living. She called for structured dialogue through national platforms to address the issue and reduce the impact of sudden price shocks.

Economists have also weighed in on the development. Eddie Cross said the fuel price increases appear difficult to justify and called for further scrutiny. However, Christopher Mugaga cautioned that regional comparisons may be misleading due to differences in currency systems, noting that Zimbabwe's use of the US dollar exposes it more directly to global price fluctuations.

He also pointed out that taxes applied throughout the fuel supply chain contribute significantly to the final price paid by consumers.

With fuel prices now a key driver of transport costs, commuters face continued uncertainty, while pressure mounts on authorities to stabilise pricing and cushion citizens from further economic strain.