Chikens, Goats Used As Bus Fare

Last Updated on Saturday, 27 December 2008 22:32 Saturday, 27 December 2008 18:19

Most rural transport operators are now charging passengers in foreign currency or fuel coupons. As a result rural commuters who cannot afford to raise foreign currency or the coupons are now using goats or chickens as bus fare payments.

"I boarded a bus to my rural home in Binga on the 20th of December and I was charged 100 rands...I did not have the money after spending all my money on Christmas day and I was forced to part with five chickens as bus fare back to Bulawayo. This deal is definitely unfair because five chickens are worth more than 100 rands but I had no choice," said Danniel Ncube who was caught by reporters embarking from a Binga bus.

Another passenger Jane Mlambo said she used a goat as bus fare to travel from Dete to Bulawayo on Christmas day.

'The three of us, my two cousins and myself paid a male goat over the Christmas holiday for a journey from Dete to Bulawayo. There was nothing we could have done because we wanted to attend our brother's funeral," she said.

A Sibula bus crew who spoke to reporters confirmed the development which is regarded as an ancient method of doing business.

"We do not force people to pay us goats or chickens. They come to us with offers and we accept because we know they cannot afford to raise foreign currency.' said one of the bus crew members. The crew said they sell the goats and chickens to recoup their expenses. (VOP)

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