By Fanuel Chinowaita
Mutare — Two weeks after the introduction of Stage Carriage Unified Transport Association (SCUTA) buses on key city routes, a clear picture is emerging from Mutare’s ranks and townships: the majority of residents welcome the move, viewing it as practical relief from persistent fare hikes rather than a political statement.
Following the publication of From $1 Tears to Transport Relief: Why Mutare Must Embrace SCUTA Buses, public feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with residents from Dangamvura, Sakubva and the city centre saying the buses have helped stabilise transport during periods of acute shortage and congestion.
Many residents say the presence of SCUTA buses charging predictable fares has brought balance to a system long dominated by commuter omnibuses that abruptly raised fares to US$1, often disappearing during enforcement operations.
“If the bus is there, just board it. Buses are for the people,” one resident commented, echoing a common sentiment that access and affordability should outweigh personal or political differences.
SCUTA, led by Dr Esau Fungai Mupfumi, deployed Gold Class buses alongside other association members at a time when demand far outstripped supply.
Residents argue that without this intervention, commuters—particularly schoolchildren, workers and the elderly—would have been stranded or forced to pay inflated fares.
While a small number of voices raised concerns largely framed around politics or alleged customer-care issues, many respondents dismissed these as secondary to the core issue: getting home affordably.
“Boarding a bus does not mean you belong to anyone’s political party,” said another commuter. “This is about transport, not politics.”
Several residents also pointed out that operating large buses at 50 cents is not a profit-driven venture, citing fuel, maintenance and staffing costs. To them, the deployment is seen as a social intervention aimed at easing pressure on overwhelmed routes such as Dangamvura, where even compliant kombis struggle to meet demand.
Importantly, residents were quick to stress that the move does not undermine existing operators. Instead, they say SCUTA buses complement commuter omnibuses, reducing chaos at ranks like Mudzviti and easing long queues during peak hours.
“Even MDATA is doing its part, but it is overwhelmed. The buses that came are helping, and that is very good,” said one commuter.
As debate continues, one conclusion stands out from the public response: most Mutare residents want affordable, reliable transport—regardless of who provides it. For them, SCUTA’s presence represents relief, competition and choice in a city where commuters have long felt exploited.
In a time of economic pressure, residents say solutions should be supported, not politicised.
Public transport, they insist, must remain exactly that—for the people.