GWERU – Public transport operators in Gweru hiked fares by 50 percent starting Wednesday, citing a rise in the prices of spares and fuel.
Commuters leaving work got a rude shock on Wednesday afternoon at the TM terminus in the CBD after commuter omnibus operators to Mkoba and Senga announced that daily commuter fares back home had been increased to $0.75.
The new wave of price increases with their domino effect came after the October 1 announcement by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube that all electronic money transfers would now attract a tax of 2 cents per dollar, replacing a flat transaction fee of 5 cents previously.
Frustrated commuters, who spoke to ZimLive at the terminus said the increases were unfair, injustified and will suffocate workers as they had not anticipated the development.
“This is not fair, they should have at least given us a warning that the fares will increase than doing this. All of a sudden the fare is 75c, what for?” fumed Tendai Kajawo from Mkoba.
“First it was goods prices now they increase transport fares from nowhere. This situation will affect so many things because soon we will be asking for salary increases because at this rate, we won’t get to monthend with the monies we budgeted,” said one commuter, who only identified herself as Mai Mudavanhu.
The commuter omnibus operators said the surge in prices and cost of services was not unique to the transport sector.
The operators said they were originally planning to print fliers giving notice to commuters that fares would go up on Monday next week, but the situation did not give them a chance.
Gweru Transport Association Spokesperson (GTA) Crispen Singo, who is a transport operator with six kombis on the road, explained: “We regret the increase but it is essential for us to remain in business. We don’t like it, but the economic environment has forced us to make this decision.
“We’ve not been spared by the price increases that are happening in the country. Fuel has gone up, we used to buy it at $1.31 but now it’s going for up to $1.47 per litre.
“Most of all is the increase in spares and accessories which have gone up by more than a hundred percent and we can no longer afford service kits.
“For example we used to buy 5 litres of oil for between $25 and $30 but now it’s going for $55. Suppliers have attributed this to forex shortages, as most of these things are imported.”
Singo said an increase to a $1 would have made their business viable but they realised that their customers cannot afford. The 25c increase will ensure they remain on the road, he said.
The Association’s Vice President, Richard Mudzinga, who was part of delegates scheduled to meet the Minister of Transport on Thursday in Harare over issues affecting the sector, concurred with Singo adding that some of the local shops that sell spares are hiking prices and some are no longer taking electronic payments.
He said other expenses such as VID fitness tests, vehicle and passenger insurance amongst others, have been increased which is also another burden to the operators.
