BY PATRICIA SIBANDA
THE Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) has started implementing the “No-standing passengers” by-law in buses following the government’s ban on gatherings exceeding 100 people to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Civil groups and the Zimbabwe Passengers Association complained that the buses were overloading passengers, while at the same time the Zupco pick-up points were always congested.
A Zupco commuter from Bulawayo’s Nketa high-density suburb yesterday said bus conductors and inspectors were limiting the number of people boarding the buses starting yesterday.
“The buses were not fully packed today as always. We were told that it is a measure that is being taken to prevent the spread of the virus,” the commuter said.
“The bus inspector was not hesitating to close the door on those who were standing at different bus stops. The buses are only picking from designated Zupco pick-up points.”
Zupco Southern region manager Tinaye Rusawako confirmed the developments yesterday, saying the measures were implemented because of the outbreak of the deadly virus.
“The reason why we have decided not to allow standing passengers in the bus is because of COVID-19. We are trying to reduce cases or chances of the virus being spread. It is a precaution that we have adopted,” Rusawako said.
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Zupco also hiked the buses fares from $1 to $2 a trip, much to the chagrin of commuters.
“Today (yesterday), Zupco buses decided to increase the fare from $1 to $2. We no longer know what will become of some of us who get salaries that do not permit such,” a commuter interviewed at one of the pick-up points said.
Zupco chief executive officer Evaristo Madangwa said buses were no longer permitting many people to avoid the outbreak of the virus.
“Yes, we are no longer allowing many people standing in the bus because of COVID-19. We have limited the number of people standing to 15 looking at what the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) said about the gathering of a hundred people and above being restricted. So if you try to look at it, if we are going to have 15 people standing and the 75 seated, it will only add up to 90 passengers on the bus,” Madangwa said.
He said it was not only Zupco’s responsibility to prevent overcrowding at the pick-up points.
“To a certain extent, it is our duty as Zupco to tackle the issue of overcrowding, but not entirely because it is also up to stakeholders that they see to it that they do not overcrowd in such places. We are pleading with the commuters to try to maintain order and stand a distance from the next person,” Madangwa said.
He confirmed the increase of the bus fares, describing it as a reasonable increase compared to other forms of commuter transportation, saying they were trying to maintain affordable fares.
The Zupo boss urged the public to avoid using money and should, instead, use tap cards and avoid handling bank notes as they aid the spread of the virus.
