Published: 4 hours ago

Presidential Spokesperson and Deputy Chief Secretary George Charamba has come to the defense of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) following public criticism and social media mockery of its trial run of the Rail Leisure train, which is set to operate between Harare and Mutare during the upcoming Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi Tourism Expo.

The refurbished passenger train's trial run drew mixed reactions online, with some questioning its relevance and viability in the current transport market. However, Charamba dismissed such commentary as "amateurish," asserting that NRZ's focus should be on safety, reliability, and commuter convenience rather than pricing alone.

"NRZ must ensure its fares recognise that the Mutare route is now highly intermodal: there is air, road, and now rail. The primary consideration is always safety, followed by convenience and lastly, price. NRZ's edge lies in offering overnight travel – allowing passengers to arrive in Harare or Mutare early enough to conduct their business and return in the evening," Charamba said.

He further argued that trains could surpass road transport if the railway service prioritised scheduling, connectivity, and commuter comfort. "A daytime train and a nighttime train are two completely different products. If I was running NRZ, I would invest in discovering commuter needs which boil down to journey purpose and scheduling," he added.

Charamba also highlighted rail's potential to ease congestion in Harare, suggesting that efficient ticketing could allow NRZ to compete with informal commuter operators while distributing passengers more effectively across the city. "Rail suffers no congestion as its way is dedicated. NRZ can really reap from the mounting traffic jams into Harare if it schedules its services and manages its ticketing well," he said.

Zimbabwe's railways have long struggled with ageing infrastructure and underinvestment. While it remains to be seen whether the trial service will mark a meaningful turnaround for NRZ, Charamba insists the opportunity lies in "convenience, scale, and smart scheduling" rather than competing solely on cost.
- online

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