Public transport fares shoot up again
By Lance Guma
07 December 2006

More misery was heaped on long suffering Zimbabweans after the cost of public transport went up 60 percent for the second time in two weeks. Even worse, industry insiders say more increases are imminent before Christmas. The increases, which came into effect Monday, have been blamed on the increasing cost of spares and the fact that operators are having to source fuel on the black market.

Those living in Chitungwiza now pay Z$800 per trip up from Z$500, while those in Domboshawa fork out Z$1000 up from Z$700 per trip. Norton residents now pay Z$1000 for a trip into Harare, when three weeks ago they paid Z$600. Suburbs like Mabvuku-Tafara have seen fares rise from Z$400 to Z$600 per trip. A trip from Harare to Kadoma will set you back Z$4000 up from Z$3000.

Highlighting the dysfunctional nature of Zimbabwe’s economy is the fact that the official price of petrol is pegged at Z$300 per litre and yet Z$2000 per litre is what operators are having to fork out on the parallel market to keep their vehicles moving. The government has also been known to issue threats against the transporters, alleging the increases are unauthorised. But hardly a week passes before the rhetoric is dropped. Commentators accuse government of trying to win a PR war with the transporters and relinquish blame for the economic problems.

To make matters worse transport is not the only area that has seen increases. Soon after finance minister Herbert Murerwa’s budget statement last week, prices for most basic commodities shot up. Soft drinks rose from Z$500 to Z$800, beer Z$800 to Z$1100 and milk went up from Z$786 to Z$1129 per litre. The increases were wide ranging and included items like biscuits, sweets, orange juice, and baby foods. One resident in Norton told Newsreel the advertised price of sugar in shops is Z$550 but there was nothing on the shelves. Just behind the shops in the black market stalls, the same 2kg pack was fetching Z$1200.