The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) will next week resume its commuter train services in Bulawayo while also reintroducing the city-Emganwini route.
NRZ in March suspended the services following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The parastatal, however, says it has since put in place measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic through services offered.
In a statement, NRZ public relations manager, Nyasha Maravanyika, said commuter train services would resume on Monday November 2.
“In addition to the City-Cowdray Park Route which has been running since 5 November 2018, an additional service will be introduced on the City- Emganwini route,” said Maravanyika.
“The extension of the service to Emganwini follows requests by residents and civic leaders for the NRZ to extend the commuter service for people staying in the south-western suburbs of the city.”
He said fares for the commuter trains would be pegged at RTGS$16 per trip explaining payment could be made through cash, Point of Sale (POS) machines or Ecocash.
“The City- Emganwini train will leave the Bulawayo Station at 0500 Hours and arrive at Khami at 0530 Hours,” said Maravanyika
“It will leave Khami at 0600 Hours and arrive at the Bulawayo station at 0650 Hours. For the evening run, it will leave Bulawayo Station at 1720 Hours arriving at Khami at 1820 Hours. The return trip leaves Khami at 1845 Hours and arrives in the city at 1915 Hours.”
The NRZ public relations manager said the morning service to Cowdray Park leaves Bulawayo Station at 0410 hours and arrives at Pasi Pasi at 0525 Hours.
“It leaves for the city at 0545 Hours arriving at Bulawayo Station at 0700 Hours,” he explained.
“In the evening, the train will leave Bulawayo Station at 1730 Hours and arrive at 1845 Hours. It departs Pasi Pasi at 1905 Hours and arrives at Bulawayo Station at 2040 Hours.”
Maravanyika said the commuter train services would run from Monday to Friday, adding there would be no services during weekends and public holidays.
“NRZ has put in place measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” said Maravanyika.
“Coaches will be disinfected every day. Passengers will also have their temperature measured and hands washed or sanitised before boarding the train. People suspected to be infected with Covid-19 will not be allowed to board the train.”
Passengers will be required to wear face masks in adherence to Covid-19 regulations.
Passengers without face masks, Maravanyika said would not be allowed to board the trains.
“Security personnel will be deployed aboard trains to ensure strict enforcement of Covid-19 regulations,” he added.
