The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) yesterday said it has beefed up its passenger train fleet to cater for the anticipated increased number of travellers over the Easter holidays.
NRZ spokesperson Fanuel Masikati told NewsDay that they had introduced additional passenger train coaches and special trains specifically for holiday travellers.
“In addition to normal passenger train services, there will be a special train from Harare to Bulawayo on April 5 to cater for schoolchildren and holiday travellers. Another special train will also be operated from Harare to Mutare on the same day,” said Masikati.
He said there will be no local commuter train services in Bulawayo and Harare from April 6 to 9 because most firms would have closed for the holidays.
Masikati said NRZ will suspend the Bulawayo-Francistown train service from Friday to Tuesday and normal services will resume on April 13.
“Passengers are also advised to use proper platform walkways, instead of crossing underneath stationary trains, as well as crossing railway lines, since it is dangerous and people risk being run over by shunting trains,” said Masikati.
He said NRZ was concerned over gold panners who dig for gold along and under the railway lines saying they endangered their lives.
“In another disturbing incident, some people were caught stealing steel structures at rail flyover bridges, a move which is catastrophic to train passengers. These acts of sabotage are strongly discouraged,” said Masikati.
