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Whinsley Masara Chronicle Reporter
LONG-DISTANCE public transporters have increased fares by more than 100 percent, taking advantage of desperate festive season travellers. At Renkini and Entumbane long-distance bus terminuses, bus operators confirmed they had increased fares saying business was brisk. Fares for most rural buses went up from $12 to $15.

However, operators are cashing in on passenger with groceries demanding luggage fees of up to $20. Revival Bus Service from Bulawayo to Manjolo in Binga is charging $24 from the usual $10.

Touts and conductors were yesterday telling travellers they have no time to beg for clients. “Ongafuniyo kayekele,” they shouted.

A bus driver told The Chronicle they wanted to take advantage of the increased number of travellers. “Another major reason why we increased fares is because police on the roads are also no longer accepting the $2-$3 that they usually want. They actually started the hike, increasing to $4-$5.”

“Therefore, for business to balance, we have no choice but to increase too,” said the driver who preferred anonymity. He said although they increased fares for the Bulawayo-Nkayi route from $7 to $15-$20, their buses are still getting overwhelmed by passengers.

Travellers said they had no option, but to pay the exorbitant fares as they were keen to spend the festive season with their families. One of the travellers, Tidings Maphosa said: “We cannot afford to pay the amounts bus operators are charging, but we have no option since there is no other means of transport.”

Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joram Gumbo said he was not aware of the fare hike. “I was not aware that some buses had actually raised fares as the government is against that. We are looking into that right away,” he said.

The statement has become the ministry’s standard response over the years, but no action has ever been taken. Meanwhile, local commuter omnibus operators have also increased their fares from R7 to R10 for local routes due to the fall of rand rate but the US$ fare remains at 50cents.