By Rex Mphisa
SEVERAL bus companies have hiked their fares, unfairly taking advantage of thousands of holiday makers travelling to different parts of the country.
A trip to Harare from Beitbridge now costs $25 for a single passengernup from the normal $15 as transport operators cash in on huge demand.
That fare has left Masvingo travellers paying $15 up from the normal $10 charged passengers from Beitbridge when it is not peak period.
A survey by Ziyah News Network revealed that a single trip to Bulawayo from Beitbridge costs $20 up from the normal $15.
“They are cashing in on demand. We have to pay what they ask for or spend days here which comes to the same thing when you spend on food,” said Chipo Sibanda from Mberengwa.
Gweru, like Mutare, from Beitbridge costs $15 but the holiday fares have generally been adjusted to $20.
Ngundu from Beitbridge which ordinarily attracts a fare of $7 now costs $10 as bus and other public transport operators take advantage of the crowds most coming from South Africa.
Travellers from Johannesburg to Bulawayo are paying a whooping R800 up from the normal R500 or R600 while operators are smiling to the bank on luggage.
Although SA industries do not have a single, mandatory closing date, many typically begin their annual festive season shutdown mid-December.
The Day of Reconciliation public holiday on December 16th has generally been used as the shut down date by many industries following which workers from Zimbabwe travel home.
Meanwhile Beitbridge residents are worried about sprouting bus stops one of them at a take away outlet and service station along the highway from the border.
“There is too much activity near the highway and the people are exposed. Any slight accident many people will be killed. Buses should go to designated places,” said a resident.
Several bus operators are shunning the Dulivhadzimu bus terminus which has been under construction for years on end.
Zanu PF shadow councillor for Ward 4 Boyd Maphosa said the non completion of the Dulivhadzimu Bus Terminus was notbonly inconvenient to bus operators.
“Ordinary residents are affected. Those driving to their homes near the bus terminal struggle to get home because buses park along their road to load passengers. Here are inadequate bays at the terminal and this problem has been allowed to appear normal,” he said.
Maphosa also said many people no longer used the bus terminuas because of raids by anti-smuggling units who blankettly take all passengsrs to the border when suspecting smuggling.
“There are some smugglers then some people who are just caught up and inconvenienced. The operation should target smugglers not genuine travellers, ” he said.