The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Saturday, July 1, 1995 — Bulawayo residents yesterday received an unexpected windfall — the Tshova Mubaiwa Transport Cooperative ferried commuters free of charge between 4PM and 7PM.

The chairman of the cooperative, Mr David Mpala who is also the national chairman of the Zimbabwe Emergency Taxi Association, said the public relations exercise was meant to improve the image of the company.

“It is also a thank you to the Bulawayo residents who have given us unwavering support since our establishment,” he said.

According to Mr Mpala, 48 vehicles were involved in the exercise. He said all suburbs in which the cooperative operated were covered. However, he said it was unlikely that the exercise would be repeated soon.

By the end of the exercise at 7PM, Mr Mpala estimated that the vehicles had ferried more than 1 000 commuters free of charge.

All the mini-buses assembled along Lobengula Street where supervisors told the drivers that they were to carry passengers free of charge for three hours from 4 to 7PM.

At 4PM the mini-buses started loading passengers. Some passengers who were in queues said they would not use other mini-buses and preferred to wait for the free Tshova Mubaiwas.