Private Public transport operators have requested government to provide fuel in order to ease the burden of spending hours on end queueing at garages, which adversely minimizes number of trips and profit made in the business.
Tshova Mubaiwa Chairperson, Atlas Moyo revealed this during a “In Her Own Voice” radio program, hosted by Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) at Skyz Metro FM.
“We are in competition with transport providers who receive free fuel from the government,” said Atlas Moyo, Tshova Mubaiwa Chairperson. “As there are fuel hikes, transport operators tend to suffer the immediate effects of the plight.”
Tshova Mubaiwa, works alongside other public transport operators such as the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO), and Bulawayo United Public Transporters’ Association (Bupta) whose allegiance lies with passengers. These public transport operators ply routes in Bulawayo, with the Western suburbs being the major beneficiaries.
A caller cautioned members of the public to desist from fingering transport providers for unpredictable fares as they are not responsible for the sudden hike in fuel prices.
“We can’t blame the current fares on Bulawayo’s main transport providers as they are also in a profit-making business,” said a caller who made contributions during the radio program.
Another caller randomly suggested for an increase of transport fares so as to suit the current economic fold in the country.
“Transport operators might as well charge $5 if they are worried that they no longer receive profit that can sustain them with the kind of competition they are faced with,” cited one frustrated caller.
Concilia, a resident from Cowdray Park applauded ZUPCO for reducing fares to the current $0.50 from $1.00, a move that has enabled most families to save up.
Tshova Mubaiwa values the safety of its passengers as noted through a helpline strictly meant for reporting complaints. Moyo encouraged the public to utilize the phone line in cases where conductors or drivers ill-treat passengers amid complaints raised over poor services rendered to local passengers such as unwarranted insults.
Source: Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD)
