The Zimbabwe Union of Passengers Company (Zupco) has increased its bus fares with effect from today, 1 September 2022.
The new development, which was announced yesterday, caught passengers by surprise as the new fares almost equal those charged by private vehicles and kombis.
The new fares have gone up by almost 100%.
Passengers who use ZUPCO commuter omnibus kombis will now pay ZWL$400 from the current ZWL$220 for distances up to 20 km. For distances between 21 and 30 kilometres, they will now pay ZWL$550. This is an increase of ZWL$290 from the current ZWL$260.
Those paying in USD will have to pay USD0.75 (75 cents) for short distances of up to 20 km. For between 21 and 30 kilometres, the fare is USD1.00 per trip.
Passengers have shown dissatisfaction with this as they complained that their salaries are not enough to cater for such fares as they are likely to be working for transport only.
Below is a table of the new fares.
01-20 km ZWL$300 [the previous fare was ZWL$140] and USD0.50 [50 cents] 21-30 km ZWL$400 [the previous fare was ZWL$180] and USD0.75 [75 cents] 31-40 km ZWL$500 [the previous fare was ZWL$220] and USD1.00 [US$1.00]