Villagers in Chiredzi have appealed to the Government to speedily expand subsidised ZUPCO bus systems in remote areas, accusing private commuter omnibus operators of ripping them off.

Most kombi operators and taxis plying rural routes have more than quadrupled fares citing a spike in spare parts prices and the recent increase in the cost of fuel, hitting hard in the pockets of the poor.

This comes as most private bus operators here such as BnC, Mapuranyanga, Shu-Shine and Tatenda Tours among a host of others have folded operations due to pressing economic challenges.

Chiredzi North National Assembly member Roy Bhila cited the plight of villagers in his constituency which is home to more than 100 000 and could not be fully serviced by private commuter omnibuses as they would end up over-charging villagers.

“My constituency encompasses the greater part of Chiredzi’s new resettlement areas and such areas have been sidelined by bus operators due to the unavailability of proper roads,” he said.

“Given the population in my constituency, surely the kombi operators cannot be the sole transport operators to rely on. Villagers are complaining that they are being over-charged to travel to Chiredzi and this discourages some of them from visiting even health institutions.”State media