By Loice Dube
On Monday Zimbabwe witnessed the return of the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) busses as government looks into resolving the ballooning transport fares by commuter omnibus operators in response to the fuel price hikes announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Addressing the Press Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said that the introduction of ZUPCO buses would complement the existing commuting system.
“This is a good initiative considering that these buses are affordable and Honourable Fortune Chasi assured people that more buses will be seen flooding the roads of different parts of the world.” she added.
A civil servant at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Melinda Tagwirei said, “there is need for the buses to keep on functioning, improve their services and have constant”
Member of Parliament for Goromonzi Reuben Chikudo commenting on Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure twitter account said, “A case of misplaced priorities Hon Minister. Are you blind to the fact the nation is on fire and people need urgent answers and solutions on bread and butter issues from the executive. Surely the electorate deserves much better than your lot. Clueless”.
Another twitter user Advocate Tapera Marewa had this to say, “I have great respect for at Fortune Chasi but in this regard please Fortune we need Zimbabwe to shut down until grievances are addressed. A solution to the transportation on Monday isn’t a solution to problems people of Zimbabwe are facing.”
However, other people felt that this is good initiative towards as they welcomed the move saying it’s valuable in the short term.
A lecturer at the Harare Institute of Technology Tendai Marengereke said, “I think competition is healthy. If done properly it will be good. When a certain business fails or becomes unprofitable savvy entrepreneurs move to new areas. Anything that brings sanity to our country is a welcome move.”
The Zimbabwean economy requires long term solutions. If the whole government emulate the initiatives that the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure are taking then Zimbabwe will be middle income country by 2030.
