COMMUTERS have welcomed Government’s decision to lift the ban on private transporters saying this would bring the teething transport challenges they have been facing to an end.
President Mnangagwa announced the lifting of a ban with operators also set to benefit from a duty-free importation scheme for buses valid for a year.
For the past few weeks, commuters have been struggling to get transport to and from the Harare CBD and many have ended up hitching lifts in private vehicles and mushikashika despite all the risks involved.
Zimbabwe Passenger Association president, Tafadzwa Goliati welcomed the move saying the Zupco monopoly was inconveniencing the commuting public.
“We thank the President for lifting the ban,” he said.
“Passengers were waiting for more than two hours in the queue and productive hours were being lost.
“The economy has since opened up and transport is an integral part of the economy hence there is a need for adequate transport for everyone.”
Goliati added:
“Zupco has no capacity to service all routes, that is why the transport crisis has reached a tipping point.
“With the opening up, transport challenges will be a thing of the past.”
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Speaking to commuters at different bus termini in Harare, they welcomed the new development.
“Hearing that President Mnangagwa has lifted the ban on private transport operators made my day,” said Charity Mashamba, a Queensdale resident.
“I am happy because the transport crisis was getting worse by the day.
“We had resorted to leaving work early so that we get transport to get home in time and sometimes we even walked from town to Queensdale.
“Mushikashika is not safe at all, they charge exorbitant prices so I hope that the Government will put an end to mushikashika.”
Another commuter, Tendekai Mavhunga, said the development will ease transport challenges.
“We welcome the move by the President as it will go a long way in improving the public transport system.
“We would also like to applaud President Mnangagwa for the duty-free importation facility which is set to run for 12 months.
“I lost valuables, which include a laptop and mobile phone recently after I boarded a mushikashika because there was no transport and I didn’t know what to do.
“So, lifting the ban will surely ease the transport challenges in the country.”
Source:Hmetro
