In Mutare, bond notes are still being accepted at a rate of ZWL$14,000 per USD$1, meaning that most trips costing 50 cents now cost 7,000 bond.
Speaking to sources, Eddie Mudzimiri, an official from the Manicaland Drivers and Transporters Association (MDATA), confirmed that bond notes are still being accepted because they remain legal tender as directed by the government.
“We are still accepting bond notes as directed by the government. The government has stated that bond notes are still legal tender, so we continue to accept them and have instructed our members to do the same. The community is accepting bond notes, so they continue to circulate,” said Mudzimiri.
He also mentioned that using bond notes and ZiG currency facilitates making change. Despite this, they still face difficulties meeting the demand for change, sometimes resorting to issuing vouchers to customers, which can be used on all their vehicles.
“Although we accept bond notes and ZiG, we still struggle to get enough change. We have introduced a voucher system, so if we do not have bond notes or ZiG, we provide customers with vouchers as change,” he added.
One commuter conductor, who preferred to remain anonymous, said they charge 5 ZiG per trip or 7,000 bond for a distance that costs USD$0.50.
However, some operators on the Zimunya route are refusing bond notes and are instead charging USD$1 per trip due to the lack of change.
Source Tellzim
