Harare Commuters Hit as Kombi Fares Quietly Double to US$2

Commuters boarding kombis in Harare CBD as public transport fares rise to US$2.

By Staff Reporter

Residents of Harare and surrounding towns are feeling the pinch after public transport fares quietly jumped, with some local routes now costing up to US$2, double the long-standing US$1 fare. What started as a temporary increase during recent heavy rains, supposedly to cover traffic delays, now appears to have become the new normal for daily commuters.

Passengers travelling to traditionally “short routes” such as Highfield, Budiriro, and Glen Norah say they are now being charged between US$1,50 and US$2, while trips to Chitungwiza, once capped at US$1,50, are going for as much as US$2,50. “I thought it was just because of the rains,” said one commuter in the CBD. “But the rains stopped, and the prices stayed.”

Big Money at Ranks, Little Order on the Ground

The fare hikes come amid reports that kombi rank operators are collecting more than US$300 000 per week from over 3 000 registered transport operators operating at Harare’s bus terminuses. Transport analysts say that the level of revenue should be enough to maintain ranks, improve facilities, and ensure proper supervision. Yet, on the ground, touts still run the show, collecting extra fees and often dictating fares.

At council-run ranks, operators officially pay US$2 per day to the local authority. But drivers say that is just the beginning. When fares are US$1, touts reportedly demand US$3 per trip. When fares rise to US$1,50, the take jumps to US$5 or US$6 per load, cutting deeply into drivers’ earnings costs that are ultimately passed on to passengers.

Roads, Fines, and Unrealistic Targets

Transport experts also blame the poor state of Harare’s roads for pushing fares higher. Deep potholes are damaging suspensions, tyres, and rims, forcing drivers into frequent and costly repairs. Fewer trips mean less income, even on busy days. Meanwhile, increased enforcement has added pressure. ZIMRA now requires monthly tax payments for commuter omnibuses and taxis, while the police and Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) issue fines ranging from US$5 to US$30 per offence.

Drivers say a single fine can wipe out an entire day’s earnings. Another major driver of fare increases is the daily target system imposed by vehicle owners. Operators of newer kombis reportedly demand up to US$140 per day, while older vehicles have targets of around US$110.

Drivers argue that a sustainable target should be between US$50 and, US$80, anything higher, they say, makes fare hikes inevitable.

For commuters already stretched by rising living costs, the question is no longer whether fares will go up but how much higher they can go before the system breaks.

Harare Commuters; Kombi Fares; Residents of Harare; fare hikes