The shortage of buses in Zimbabwe is making it difficult for passengers to travel Business and Financial Issues

Harare, Zimbabwe – Masimba Gwazho is waiting in line at a bus stop in the central business district of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare.

“I’ve been on this line for about an hour,” the 39-year-old artist told Al Jazeera.

More than 100 people have lined up behind it – all trying to reach Chitungwiza, a town 25km south of Harare.

They are not the only ones who have been disappointed on the journey. Line up along the line of them, all trying to reach the nearest towns, list the bus stop – one of the busiest and most descent in the capital.

Gwazho said before the coronavirus epidemic broke out, he had to wait five minutes to board the bus. But now: “You can wait an hour or so before just boarding,” he said.

Every day is our life. ”

Omibibus minibuses with small vans with 18 seats. For more than two decades, they have been driving in this country, which is appreciated for their support and speed.

But after the outbreak in Zimbabwe last year, authorities banned pilots from traveling in their own way, as part of efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

With three closures and for more than a year, the buses have green electricity to use again. But the part of those who return to work is light.

Other expensive options

Prior to the outbreak, there were more than 50,000 workers in the country, Greater Harare Association of Commuter Omnibus Operators spokesman Ngoni Katsvairo told Al Jazeera.

So far there are about 1,500 said, – a decrease of 97%.

One of the obstacles to the return of most omnibuses is that only those in the Zimbabwe Transport Passenger Company (ZUPCO) are allowed to pass through the road network established during the epidemic to ensure that anti-virus measures are in place. . .

Katsvairo estimates that of the 900 buses operating in Harare, less than 100 have joined ZUPCO. Workers can only make more money by working on their own while roadblocks come down and reductions in COVID-19 barriers, he said.

This is not a real boost for frustrated passengers, especially those who have to travel to the capital.

Simbarashe Gwasera is a citizen of Kuwadzana, a densely populated area west of Harare. When Al Jazeera arrested him, he said he had been waiting for the bus ride for more than an hour.

“At least four buses passed by and it was full,” he said.

Gwasera said he could not afford to board the car.

Its cost is only $ 30 ($ 0.21), while a car ride could cost him $ 80 ($ 0.57) – a sharp difference in prices in a country where inflation is tripled and wages have fallen.

“I am only 30 years old [Zimbabwean] dollars for me so I have no choice but to wait, ”he said.

Other progressive problems were ahead. Gwasera said he only finished work at 4:30 pm – running time.

“I don’t even care if I go to the bus station in town after work,” he said. “You can leave town around 7pm or 8pm if you use buses.”

Tap card

Some commuters are complaining that some ZUPCO bus drivers are refusing to accept payments, saying instead customers should pay with taps – electronic debit cards that can be carried by bus fares.

William Basopo got his chance last Tuesday. His tape was cut, and several buses arriving at the stop at the Expected Fellowship would not receive a refund.

“The oncoming buses only need tap cards,” the 52-year-old told Al Jazeera.

Those who have a record on their tap cards are known to take advantage of it, to charge passengers who do not have a tap or whose cards do not have as much as $ 50 ($ 0.35) to make a debit.

A Zimbabwean court said in May that it would help “quickly sell” 667 more buses across the country to make ZUPCO more efficient and bring relief to commuters.

The Minister of Information, Monica Mutsvangwa, said ZUPCO will be rehabilitating bus routes, using bus depots, tracking bus schedules and upgrading electronic payment systems.

For riders in trouble in long queues or being held by empty cards, this change may not come soon.

“Last week, I couldn’t get transportation back home because I had money,” Basopo said. “I bought half bread and went back to work.”