NRZ Launches Special Rail Leisure Service for Tourism Expo

By Evans Jona

Harare, 1 September 2025 – The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has launched a special Rail Leisure train service between Harare and Mutare to coincide with the 18th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo.

The service, introduced in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry (MoTHI) and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), will run on selected dates in September under the theme “Devolving Sustainable Tourism Development, Our Future.”

The refurbished luxury coaches, currently being finalised at NRZ’s Bulawayo workshops, will ferry passengers along the fully rehabilitated Harare–Mutare railway line, offering smooth rides and scenic views of Zimbabwe’s landscapes.

The inaugural train will depart Harare at 7:00am on 5 September, with subsequent trips scheduled for 7 and 9 September. Return trips from Mutare to Harare are set for 6 and 8 September, also departing at 7:00am. An additional overnight trip from Mutare to Harare will run on 12 September, leaving at 8:00pm. No trains will operate on 10 and 11 September, days reserved for excursions in Mutare.

In a press statement, NRZ said: “We will offer local, regional and international exhibitors, buyers, media and the people of Zimbabwe an opportunity to experience luxury rail travel, where entertainment will be provided and refreshments served.”

The parastatal added that while the service has been tailored for the tourism expo, it is considering extending leisure rail travel options in future.

Tickets have been pegged at US$60 one way.

Bullet trains are a type of high-speed train known for their speed and smooth, pointed design, often used in developed and developing countries These trains use advanced engineering, including aerodynamic designs, electric propulsion, and sometimes magnetic levitation, to achieve speeds of 250 km/h (155 mph) or more. The term “bullet train” specifically refers to Japan’s Shinkansen network, the world’s first high-speed rail system, which began operation in 1964.

The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has found itself under heavy criticism from the public following its decision to introduce what it calls a “luxury train” service, instead of reinstating the affordable, daily overnight passenger trains that once served as a lifeline for many Zimbabweans. Citizens have expressed mixed feelings, disappointment, and skepticism, questioning the company’s priorities in a country where modern rail services remain a distant dream.

One frustrated commuter wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “So you guys decide to introduce a ‘luxury train’ but fail dismally to bring back the daily overnight trains as was the case before. What is stopping you from introducing passenger trains if you can introduce this so-called luxury train? Very strange indeed.”

For decades, Zimbabwe’s overnight commuter trains provided an inexpensive, albeit uncomfortable, mode of transport that connected major cities and towns across the country. While they lacked modern amenities, they were an affordable option for the working class and rural travelers who could not afford buses or flights. The absence of these trains has left a significant transportation gap, with many questioning why NRZ has chosen to invest in a premium service when ordinary citizens are struggling with inflation, high fuel prices, and limited mobility options.

The announcement of the luxury train has also sparked debate over its pricing, with reports that a one-way ticket is almost comparable to flight fares. Critics argue that this makes the service accessible only to a small elite, defeating the purpose of public transportation.

Another social media user expressed their dismay over NRZ’s presentation of the train as “luxury,” writing:

“Nothing leisure about a 70-year-old diesel train built by colonials, and running over barely maintained tracks built by the BSAC in 1892.”

The biting comment highlights not only skepticism over NRZ’s marketing of the train but also broader frustrations over the state of Zimbabwe’s railway infrastructure, much of which has not seen significant modernization since the colonial era. In contrast, regional peers such as South Africa and Tanzania have invested heavily in modern rail systems, with high-speed trains and well-maintained networks serving as critical economic arteries.

Analysts argue that Zimbabwe’s decision to promote an expensive, so-called luxury service rather than prioritize affordable, efficient commuter trains reflects misaligned development priorities. “Rail should be the most affordable and accessible mode of transport for ordinary Zimbabweans,” said one Harare-based transport economist. “Instead, we’re seeing a focus on prestige projects that ignore the majority of people who rely on affordable mobility to survive.”

Meanwhile, the company hasn’t responded to this publication on their strategy to digitalize.