Government Increases Toll Gate Fees With Immediate Effect
The government has increased tollgate fees with immediate effect and the announcement was made in Statutory Instrument 161 of 2020.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development increased the fees in terms of Section 6 of the Toll Roads Act (Chapter 13:13).
Motorcycles will be exempted from paying tollgate fees whilst light motor vehicles will now pay $45, minibuses $70, buses $90, heavy vehicles $115 and haulage trucks $225. This signifies an increase of more than 300% in the fees.
The time Zimbabwe hiked tollgate fees Light motor vehicles were supposed to pay $10 from $2, mini buses $15 from $3, buses $20 from $4 heavy vehicles $25 from $5 and haulage trucks $50 from $10.
The new tollgate fees come at a time when Zimbabwe is planning to resume intercity bus services in safety. Intercity public transport services were suspended under the lockdown on March 30 as part of moves to help isolate any outbreaks of Covid-19.
Speaking after a Covid-19 Inter-Ministerial Taskforce meeting in Harare on Monday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the taskforce had considered the need for resuming intercity and inter-provincial travel but wanted to be guided by expert advice on how to do this safely.
Mutsvangwa said:
Government recognises the current challenges being experienced by commuters to reach different destinations to attend to their essential needs. The taskforce has, therefore, resolved to scientifically consider a measured and responsible process of resuming intercity travel. This will be announced next week after interrogation of the request by the appropriate sub-committee.
Government has also announced new licence plate prices in United States dollars with a personalised plate costing US$1 200 whilst first-time vehicle registration will see one parting with US$ 80.
