Residents Welcome ZUPCO Bus Deployment in Gweru Suburbs

Residents in several suburbs of Gweru have welcomed the deployment of buses operated by the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO), describing the move as a major relief from high transport costs.

The development was announced by Gweru District Development Coordinator Tarisai Mudadigwa, who said the initiative is aimed at ensuring residents have access to affordable and reliable public transport.

The buses will service areas including Mkoba, Senga, Mambo, Mtapa and Hertfordshire, where commuters had been struggling with fares of up to US$1 per trip charged by some private commuter omnibuses.

“The government has people at heart. The deployment of ZUPCO buses in these areas will go a long way in easing the burden on residents who depend on public transport for their daily activities,” said Mudadigwa.

He noted that the move will particularly benefit workers, students and small-scale traders who travel daily to and from the central business district.

Residents in the affected suburbs expressed optimism that the buses will ease transport challenges and reduce daily expenses.
A Senga resident, Memory Dube, said the arrival of ZUPCO buses would help many families manage their transport budgets.
“Transport costs had become too high for many of us. Paying US$1 per trip every day was difficult, especially for those who travel to work daily. The ZUPCO buses will really help,” she said.

In Mkoba, Tendai Moyo welcomed the development, saying it would restore fairness in the transport system.
“The buses will give us a cheaper option and reduce the pressure from kombis that were charging high fares. This is a big relief for residents,” he said.

Meanwhile, Patrick Ncube from Hertfordshire said the buses will improve access to essential services.
“Many people here rely on public transport to get to work, school and town. The ZUPCO buses will make movement easier and more affordable for everyone,” he said.

Residents expressed hope that the buses will operate consistently to ensure reliable transport across the city’s suburbs.