Harare (New Ziana) – The government will continue supporting the re-tooling of national public transporter ZUPCO as it regards it as a strategic national institution, President Emerson Mnangagwa said on Friday.

He said this at the commissioning of 50 new ZUPCO buses, which are expected to be deployed to various parts of the country.

“At the onset of the Second Republic, my administration made a commitment to resuscitate the public transport sector to ensure that our people have increased mobility at a lower cost. Today’s commissioning event is partial fulfilment to that pledge and adds 50 more buses to the already existing national fleet,” he said.

“You are assured of the full support of my government as you procure more buses to retool this strategic national company.”

President Mnangagwa said so far, 212 new buses had been procured for ZUPCO.

He said a multi-stakeholder approach was required to improve the country’s transport system and infrastructure.

“The distribution of this fleet must therefore continue to advance the devolution agenda and the realisation of inclusive social economic development. The importance of the transport sector and in particular road transport services as an enabler to economic recovery and growth cannot be over emphasised,” he said.

“Equally important is the need to make public transport more convenient, faster, comfortable, cleaner and safer for all users. I urge players in the public sector to give due regard to safety, orderliness and good customer care within the sector towards quality service delivery.”

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa said the government had now designated ZUPCO employees as frontline workers, enabling them to join the first COVID-19 vaccination drive which is currently underway.
New Ziana