Zimbabwe’s Transport Sector Buckles Under Weight of Taxes, Costs, and Economic Chaos

By Staff Reporter

Zimbabwe’s transport sector, once regarded as a lifeline connecting communities across the country, is now grinding under the weight of a series of economic and policy shocks that threaten its very survival. For operators, commuters, and even schoolchildren, the daily struggle to move from one place to another has become an expensive ordeal, emblematic of a national economy in freefall.

Transport operators, whether they run commuter omnibuses, taxis, or private vehicles—confess that they are no longer in business to thrive, but simply to survive. Rising fuel prices have already drained profitability, but the situation has been worsened by new taxes and licensing requirements imposed by the government.

This situation was described as an ignorant move, exposing citizens to thieves whose robbery activities has been on the rise, after commuting public board private vehicles to various destinations, compromising their safety and security.

For many operators, the introduction of fresh levies feels like the final blow. Instead of creating an environment that fosters growth, they say authorities appear to be tightening the noose around a sector already crippled by poor road infrastructure, endless police roadblocks, and an economy that has become one of the harshest in the region.

At the heart of the crisis lies Zimbabwe’s newest currency experiment—the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). When it was launched, the government promised stability and relief from the inflationary pressures that plagued its predecessors. Instead, the ZiG has crumbled on the streets, trading at a staggering 1:38 against the US dollar.

This collapse has forced the commuting public into an unusual and punishing reality: fares are quoted in both ZiG and US dollars, leaving passengers confused, frustrated, and financially drained. A short trip now costs ZiG 20, while longer distances of more than 20 kilometers carry a flat fee of US$1. For many workers earning meagre wages, these fares represent a significant portion of their income.

The government’s new tax regime has sent shockwaves through the transport sector. Commuter omnibus and taxi operators warn that the costs are impossible to absorb and must inevitably be passed down to commuters. The effect on the public is immediate and brutal.

Take the example of a worker who previously budgeted US$30 per month for transport. Under the new reality, that same commuter will now need US$60 just to cover basic travel costs. For families already stretched thin by food, school fees, and medical expenses, this doubling of transport costs is nothing short of catastrophic.

Private vehicle owners are not spared either. The government has introduced a new mandatory radio license pegged at US$30, adding to the already steep quarterly licensing fee of US$75 for small vehicles. The result is that even middle-class motorists, who once sought to escape the chaos of public transport, are now trapped in the same cycle of financial bleeding.

The burden trickles down to children as well. Parents must now spend more to ensure their children can get to and from school, placing an unbearable financial strain on households that are already battling to survive through vending, piece jobs, or remittances from abroad.

The troubles of Zimbabwe’s transport sector mirror the broader crisis engulfing the country. Analysts say the current tax regime reveals a government desperate to plug revenue shortfalls, even at the expense of its citizens’ livelihoods. Instead of stimulating growth, these measures risk choking the very sectors that sustain the economy.

For transport operators, there is little hope of recovery without decisive government intervention to stabilize the currency, reduce unnecessary taxes, and invest in infrastructure. Until then, the roads remain clogged not just with traffic but with frustration, despair, and anger.