Commuters bear the cost of ‘Tame the Traffic Jungl...

Commuters bear the cost of ‘Tame the Traffic Jungle’ operation.

Emma Zihonye

Harare residents have expressed their concern over the high cost of commuting following the launch of the police operation code-named “Tame the Traffic Jungle” on September 12, 2023.

This comes as transport costs have significantly increased for most commuters, especially those who have to commute daily to work and school.

The operation, which is also targeting public transport, including unregistered vehicles, pirate vehicles, mushika-shika and registered kombis performing reckless conduct, has forced transport fare hikes of over 200% in some areas.

In an interview, Perfect Kawocha of Hatfield said the fare hikes are shocking and unaffordable since the start of the operation.

“I go to work every day and where I used to pay 50 cents, I am now required to pay US$1.50 which is unbearable for me considering my salary,” he said.

Tanatswa Lance Gondo said under normal circumstances, Chitungwiza kombis cost US$1 during the day and US$1.50 during peak hours but now, Chitungwiza fares during the day are around US$2 and US$3 during peak hours.

“This is terrible. How can a student afford that kind of bus fare daily. It’s really not fair at all, because the UZ-City fare return, is about $5 a day.”

“The police should put road blocks to ensure that all kombis are registered under an Association so as to control fares rather than chase after kombis in town because it is affecting citizens negatively,” Lance said.

Speaking about the police operation, national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the operation has been necessitated by the lawlessness on the roads, especially in major cities and towns where some drivers are openly causing chaos and congestion by driving against oncoming traffic, through red traffic lights, and reckless lane violation.

Police had made 16 369 arrests as of yesterday afternoon while 4 307 vehicles had been impounded as of Sunday since the launch of the ZRP operation across the country.