Some Harare residents have resorted to walking to their working stations every day due to depressed incomes and escalating transports costs fuelled by the now customary weekly fuel price hikes.
Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) president Tafadzwa Goliati told the Daily News that his organisation wrote a letter to the government early this year lobbying it to subsidise private players in the transport industry, but hitherto there has been no response. He said:
We cannot blame kombis for increasing fares as they want to remain in business. The operating environment is not favourable. Some kombi owners are contemplating selling part of their fleet as they are realising no meaningful profits.
Commuter omnibuses (kombis) operating in Harare and other major urban centres charge between $5 and $10 for distances that used to cost $1 and $2 dollars 10 months ago.
Residents in areas close to Harare’s CBD such as Mbare, Eastlea, Warren Park, Rugare, Sunningdale and Southerton have taken to walking.