Harare's commuter omnibus operators are hiking fares on a whim, and the people footing the bill are workers and school kids with nowhere else to turn.
What's driving the fare hike outrage
What's driving the fare hike outrage
- Passengers Association of Zimbabwe national coordinator Tafadzwa Goliati is urging Harare residents to push back against unjustified fare increases.
- Goliati points out that fuel and spare parts prices have stayed stable, making the frequent hikes hard to justify.
- Workers and parents sending children to school daily are getting squeezed the hardest by the erratic pricing.
- Operators are reportedly charging different amounts for the same routes depending on the time of day or even the weather.
- A kombi ride from Mabvuku to Tafara runs $1, but peak-hour pricing bumps that up to $1.50.
- Warren Park fares are supposed to sit at $0.50, yet commuters are regularly paying double that amount.
- Machipisa fares have jumped from $0.50 to $1, and Glen Norah has gone from $1 to $1.50.
- In Chitungwiza, peak-hour fares range between $1.50 and $2, and rainy days tack on an extra $0.50 to $1.50.
- Goliati is pushing the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to roll out an official fare table for local transport.
- He dismissed operator claims that roadblocks and congestion caused by touts and police operations are driving up costs.
- Commuters are being encouraged to seek out alternative, more affordable transport options while regulators sort out the mess.
