Commuter fare prices go up

By Lance Guma
09 September 2005

The inevitable happened when transport operators doubled fares for commuters following a similar 100 percent increase in fuel prices on Wednesday. While many people are already going to work on foot because thousands of vehicles are lying idle in fuel queues, the latest increases are going to make the situation worse.

A trip from Harare to Chitungwiza now costs Z$25,000 up from
Z$11,000 while those travelling to Norton fork out Z$50,000 per trip. The majority of journeys in the country go up from Z$8,000 to Z$15,000. It gets even worse for those who need to make two journeys on their way to work. Government officials have declared the increases illegal saying fuel costs constitute about 20 percent of running expenses and adjustments over 100 percent are not justified.

The operators on the other hand say they are buying fuel at black market prices well over those set by government and the new increases are justified. Others have withdrawn their vehicles from the road until government makes an official announcement on new fares. The Local Government ministry has since invited proposals from the operators on the new fares for consideration. A major confrontation looks likely though with both sides sticking to their guns.