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Kudakwashe Chidziya Manicaland Correspondent
GOVERNMENT has allocated two more buses to civil servants in Mutare to alleviate transport challenges they face due to the constant increase of fares by commuter operators.

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba handed over one of the buses to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare on Friday last week.

“I am very excited to receive this bus on behalf of Manicaland,” she said.

“Some transport operators were unjustifiably hiking fares, but with the new bus already in the province and with the other one set to arrive soon, civil servants have been spared from paying high fares.

“We are in a New Dispensation which is production and value addition-based. It starts with punctuality to our work places and progress is made. Nothing will alter progress when transport is readily available for our workers.”

The two buses bring the number of buses allocated to civil servants in the city to four.

The other two buses are ferrying civil servants that stay in Chikanga, Dangamvura and Sakubva to and from work.

Minister Gwaradzimba appreciated the efforts by President Mnangagwa to build a safe and reliable transport system in the country.

“This is a noble move by our President as he walks the talk to better the lives of Zimbabwean citizens. I would like to appreciate our President’s call for better living standards for all,” she said.

Provincial labour administration officer Mr Vandirai Musolo said the buses will ease transport shortages among workers and ensure punctuality.

“The new buses will ensure less pressure and congestion among the civil servants,” he said.

Civil servants who spoke to The Herald expressed their gratitude to the Government’s unwavering support to better people’s lives.

“I am very happy that our challenges are being addressed. Transport was a major challenge, but through Government’s efforts, our problems are being solved. Imagine paying $8 a day if one resides in Chikanga, yet with the public service buses, it will be just be $1,” Mr Comfort Makina said.

Public service buses cost $0,50 a trip.