Festive season: No business boom for transporters

Comment & Analysis
BY LESLEY WURAYAYI LONG distance transporters have said business remained low despite that the festive season is already underway. Some bus crews at Harare’s Mbare bus terminus yesterday said they had expected business to boom, given that many companies traditionally go on annual shut-down in mid-December.

“Business is very low, you wouldn’t think that Christmas is upon us,” Onwell Kanja said. “As you can see, we spend hours touting for travellers, but we end up departing with just a few passengers.”

He added: “It has been like this for the greater part of the year. Maybe the coming week will be better, as we hope those who work go on break.” The few travellers on buses said they were geared up for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Some were loading groceries and furniture on the buses heading to their rural homes.

“I thought it is more comfortable and safer for my family to travel now and avoid the rush that usually happens during the last week before Christmas,” said 45-year-old Josephine Jiri. “We also want to travel now before bus fares are hiked.”

Some supermarkets in Harare’s city centre had on display goods they claimed had prices reduced as part of special offers. However, very few shoppers could be seen with full trolleys — typical of Christmas shopping mood. “We hope business will improve next week,” a till operator at Food World Mbuya Nehanda said. “Maybe people are yet to receive their December salaries.”