MUTARE – Commuters who are grappling with cash shortages have welcomed the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) electronic ticketing system that is expected to ease transactions.
In a recent interview with The Zim Morning Post on the side-lines of a the Mutare Zupco tap and go card launch last week, the Zupco chief executive officer Evaristo Mudangwa said the tap and go cards will also plug cash leakages from the public transport operator.
“We have seen that our commuters were facing some challenges in sourcing cash. The tap and go card will ease the transactions is it does not involve cash,” he said.
He said the electronic ticketing system — which is in the form of a “tap-and-go” card — also seeks to increase revenue collection and efficiency.
“We are promoting a cashless society where commuters juice up their cards, which are purchased at our offices using all modes of payment,” he said
The commuters can recharge their cards from $15.
Madangwa said plans were afoot to open e-ticketing kiosks for the convenience of the public in Mutare.
ZUPCO will be working in collaboration with CBZ and NMB banks to introduce the new payment system.
“It’s just all about increasing the convenience, and the efficiency and the operations of the buses and bringing relief to the travelling public at the same time,” Mudangwa said.
Isau Mupfumi who is Zupco’s top stakeholder with 25 buses said he was partnering the government in embracing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of developing and empowering communities.
“President Mnangagwa is a genuine and committed reformer and this is the reason why we are embracing his vision through the provision of these buses,” said Mupfumi.
“The President has chanted the socio-economic future of Zimbabwe as a middle-income nation by 2030.
“ So as a transporter and through these buses we are consciously taking part in nation building,” said the popular businessman and politician.
Mupfumi added that he was touched by the plight of the long suffering commuters who were now failing to travel as a result of cash shortages.
Commuters interviewed said the tap and go cards had come at a right time.
“This is a noble cause as it will ease our transactions. We are facing some serious cash problems and this initiative will enable us to board the buses using the cards,” said Margaret Zimunya a Dangamvura resident.
Partson Jani from Chigodora said:
“This is what we have been waiting for. I am a pensioner and this will make it easy for me to commute as l would have put the money in my card. I don’t have the cash but this card will make me travel,” he said.
