THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) says it will suspend all local commuter trains starting next Friday to beef up its inter-city train service for the duration of the festive season.
Report by Pamela Mhlanga Own correspondent
In a statement, NRZ spokesperson Fanuel Masikati said the suspension will be lifted on January 6.
“Having realised that the closure of schools at this time of the year coincides with the onset of the festive period when there is an upsurge of the travelling public and schoolchildren as well as holiday travellers usually getting stranded at bus termini, the NRZ has commenced boosting the capacity of inter-city train services,” he said.
Masikati said the Bulawayo- Francistown passenger train would be suspended on December 24 and 25 and will resume on December 28.
The service will again be suspended from December 31 to January 1 next year.
“The suspension of commuter trains will have no effect on commuters because people who use commuter trains will close for the festive holiday and the service will resume when schools and industry open in January 2013,” he said.
Masikati said NRZ would run special train services from Harare to Bulawayo on December 20 and Bulawayo to Harare on December 21 2012.
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Travellers using the Harare-Mutare route will have a special train service on December 22 in addition to the normal one.
“The NRZ is geared to ferry holiday travellers during this time of the year and would like to appeal to its valued customers to book and buy tickets on time in order to avoid inconvenience,” he said.
“Opting for rail services will serve travellers from falling prey to unscrupulous transporters who charge exorbitant fees at special times such as the festive season when people will be desperate for an affordable and alternative mode of transport.”
