SCORES of Bulawayo commuters were left stranded yesterday evening after commuter omnibus operators unilaterally increased fares from R5 and R6 to R7 for a single trip, citing the fall in value of the South African currency.
BY NQOBILE BHEBHE Some kombi crews attributed the fare increase to the fines they pay at police roadblocks, or bribes they sometimes fork out in lieu of fines.
Most traffic offences that attract admission of guilt spot fines require a fine of $20.
Most kombis had huge notices pasted on windows advising of the new fares.
Most schoolchildren said they might be forced to walk back home, as they only had R5. However, commuters were allowed to pair up and pay $1.
“We just saw notices of the changes, as we were coming from school. We had no idea that they had increased fares,” said Nothando Dube, a student at a city college.
Another student said commuter omnibus operators should have at least advised commuters in the morning of the impending increases.
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However, Bulawayo United Public Transport Association secretary-general Albert Ncube professed ignorance at the fair hike. “For us nothing has changed. It’s only that we are following prevailing exchange rates. To avoid controversy, we urged commuters to pay in bond coins, which is 50c per trip. If you use the rand, you will pay R7 or $1 for two (passengers).”
