Cowdray Park residents hit by sharp rise in kombi fares

Residents of Cowdray Park in Bulawayo are facing rising transport costs following a sharp increase in kombi fares, with Ward 28 councillor Ntando Ndlovu condemning the hikes as exploitative.

The increases come in the wake of recent fuel price adjustments linked to global market pressures, but Ndlovu said some operators are taking advantage of the situation by charging excessive fares, particularly in high-demand areas.

"As a councillor, I am deeply concerned by the sudden and unjustified increase in kombi fares from R10 to as high as US$2 or US$1.50. This is not only exploitative but also places an unfair burden on already struggling residents," he said.

Cowdray Park, one of Bulawayo's largest and most densely populated suburbs, has been among the hardest hit, with reports that certain kombi operators are targeting the area to maximise profits.

Ndlovu described the conduct as bordering on criminality and urged residents to report errant operators to the Zimbabwe Republic Police and relevant authorities.

He attributed part of the problem to operators deviating from their designated routes.

"Operators must operate only in their designated areas. The current situation where some kombis abandon their routes to chase high-demand corridors for profit is unacceptable," he said.

According to the councillor, many of the kombis charging inflated fares are originating from the city centre and moving into areas not allocated to them, including Cowdray Park.

The matter has since been escalated to the City of Bulawayo and transport operators bound by service agreements.

"We have formally referred this matter to the transport companies that signed Service Level Agreements with the City of Bulawayo," Ndlovu said, adding that violations of agreed fare structures and routes would be addressed through regulatory channels.

An urgent meeting has been convened with transport operators servicing the area to address fare increases, route violations and passenger exploitation.

"Transport companies are expected to sign social contracts with residents to ensure accountability and fair service delivery," Ndlovu said.

He stressed that the city's public transport policy was designed to protect communities from such practices and restore order in the sector.

"Our position is clear: public transport must serve the people, not prey on them," he said.

Authorities are now expected to intensify engagement with operators, with potential enforcement measures on the table as pressure mounts to bring fares back to affordable levels.