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Freedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau
Mberengwa villagers have appealed Government to consider introducing a cheaper public transport facility in their area, as transport operators are ripping them off by charging exorbitant fares.

Government recently introduced a public transport facility in cities and towns to cushion commuters who were being charged exorbitant fares by commuter omnibus operators.

The introduction of cheaper busses in Harare forced other private players to then reduce fares from $2,50 per trip to $1. In separate interviews, Mberengwa villagers said public transport was fast becoming a preserve for the elite in rural areas as most of them were now struggling to raise fares which were now pegged beyond their reach.

They said most of them were now resorting to walking long distances due to exorbitant fares. The villagers said for example, it now costs $30 one way trip to Gweru from Mataga Growth Point, a distance which used to cost only $10.

“The charges are even more when one is paying through One-wallet or Eco-cash. One needs at least $70 in his or her phone wallet to travel from Mataga Growth Point to Gweru by public transport,” said Mr Byron Ndlovu from Mataga. Another villager, Mrs Steller Ndebele from Masase, said public transport now cost between $15 and $20 for a single trip from Mberengwa to Zvishavane.

Before the fares were increased, she it cost between $5 and $6 one way trip for the same distance. “These were the fares we were used to when travelling to Zvishavane, but now one has to part with at least $40 for a return journey,” she said. “We are the most vulnerable here in rural areas and when Government is introducing such measures like the recently introduced public transport system they should also consider people in rural areas,” she said.