Shocking bus fares and bread price increases

By Tererai Karimakwenda
May 31, 2007

Price increases are not new to Zimbabweans as they happen daily in these times of hyperinflation, but the latest round of increases are truly worrying. From Harare our correspondent Simon Muchemwa reports that bus fares went up again on Thursday. In some cases the fares quadrupled overnight, leaving already struggling workers and students no choice but to stay home.

According to Muchemwa, bus fares to the central business district from Chitungwiza now cost Z$30,000 up from Z$7,000. A trip from Mabvuku is now Z$25,000 up from Z$5,000. Other local trips went from Z$5,000 to Z$15 000. A loaf of bread is Z$15,000 and fuel continues to be scarce and selling at Z$100,000 per litre.

Muchemwa said the conventional big buses that receive 50 litres of fuel from the government can no longer afford to charge the Z$3,000 per trip that they were ordered to charge by the authorities. They are losing money because the fuel is not enough for more than two trips. Muchemwa said many have just parked their buses.
At a time when many nurses, doctors and teachers were already failing to report to work because they had no money for transport, these increases will see even more professionals staying home. Prices for food and clothing are due to go up as well, the way they always do when transport prices increase. There seems to be no end to the suffering for Zimbabweans and the government has no solutions.