Welcome to the National Railways of Zimbabwe
NRZ-UNITY 2018
PRESS STATEMENT CARGO VOLUMES CONTINUES ON UPWARD TREND
POSITIVE RESPONSE TO NRZ COMMUTER TRAIN
The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) is pleased to note that the travelling public has responded positively to the re-introduction of commuter trains in Bulawayo.
More than 5 000 passengers have boarded the City-Cowdray Park commuter train in the first five days of its operation.
The commuter train started operating on Monday 5 November 2018.
It runs from Monday to Friday with two services daily in the morning and evening and the rail entity is charging 50 cents for a single trip.
On the first morning run on November 5, 309 passengers boarded the train.
On the return trip in the evening the number increased to 350.
On Tuesday, 532 boarded in the morning and 537 in the evening.
Wednesday morning attracted the highest patronage of the week with 743 passengers boarding. In the evening the commuter train carried 486 passengers.
Thursday saw the morning service recording 618 passengers while 489 were on the evening service. On Friday 607 passengers boarded the morning train compared to 334 on the evening train.
The train also managed to maintain right time departures and arrivals, thus sticking to scheduled times.
The commuter train has seven coaches with each coach having a capacity of 100 passengers.
With 5005 passengers having boarded the train in its first week, the capacity utilisation for the initial five days is 71 %.
NRZ is pleased and satisfied with how it has managed to service the route conveniently for its encouraging commuter train patronage.
It has also noted requests from passengers who work mainly in the industrial sites who would like the train to leave Cowdray Park earlier so that they have ample time to walk to their workplaces. However, it should be noted that in coming up with the departure times the NRZ is trying to balance
the interests of passengers who start work early and those who start at traditional 0800 Hours as per many companies’ business hours.
The NRZ reintroduced the commuter train in response to appeals from the travelling public who were being overcharged by commuter omnibuses with some kombis charging as much as $2 at peak times for a trip into the city.
N. MARAVANYIKA
MARAVANYIKA
PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
13 November 2018
NRZ SETS RECORD STRAIGHT ON WHEAT DELIVERIES
The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) would like to set the record straight on wheat deliveries and give information to the nation on the progress made so far.
The NRZ has moved cumulative 570 wagons of wheat to millers in the country between 1 October and 7 November 2018 which translates to a total of 20 800 tonnes of wheat.
At present, there are 15 wagons at Machipanda and 30 at Mutare carrying wheat which are awaiting delivery into the country.
Of these wagons, 39 are expected to be delivered to millers by 8 November 2018.
The NRZ has reverted to collecting wheat from the interchange point at Machipanda after the Mozambican rail authority indicated that it now had enough locomotives to move wagons from Beira to the border of Zimbabwe and Mozambique from where the NRZ takes over the load.
Contrary to recent media reports which held the rail giant responsible for wheat delivery delays, the NRZ would like to express serious concerns over delays by millers in offloading wagons delivered to their premises with wheat.
Millers are failing to offload wagons quickly resulting in them spending days stabled in sidings. This results in delays in returning wagons to Beira to collect more wheat.
At present, millers are holding on to about 200 wagons at their private sidings in Harare which they have not offloaded.
Holding on to the wagons is creating bottlenecks in the transportation of wheat from Beira.
Handling facilities at Beira are able to load 25 wagons a day but on 8 November 2018, only 13 wagons were loaded at the port due to a shortage of wagons.
NRZ is appealing to millers to timeously offload the wagons within the shortest possible time so that they are returned to Mozambique to collect more wheat.
If millers off load wagons timeously, the NRZ would be able to clear the balance of 25 410 tonnes of wheat at Beira awaiting transportation into the country.
The NRZ, once again, reiterates its commitment to providing seamless, efficient, reliable, cost-effective and safe transportation service of goods and passengers in the country.
MARAVANYIKA
PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
8 November 2018.
PRESS STATEMENT: NRZ INAUGURAL MARATHON
PRESS STATEMENT
NRZ INAUGURAL MARATHON
The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) attracted a strong field of close to 100 professional athletes and several enthusiastic runners in its inaugural NRZ Rail-Trail Charity Half Marathon 2018.
The marathon was held on Saturday 3 November 2018 starting and ending at the Raylton Recreational Club in Bulawayo from 0600hours to 1030 hours.
The race was in four formats: 21km, 10km, 5km and 1km fun walk with both men and women taking part.
Among the race’s categories included the wheelchair athletes and juniors.
NRZ Rail-Trail Annual Half Marathon was held for charity organisations, community development as well as celebrating the arrival of the first train in the country’s shores on 4 November 1897.
The winner of the 21km race walked away with $2000 while first runner-up went away with $1000 and second runner- up $500 in both the men’s and women’s categories.
In the 21km wheel chair race, the winner walked away with $200 while first runner-up got $150 and second runner-up $100 for both men and women.
The champion in the 10km juniors’ race received $150, second runner-up $100, third, $75, fourth $50 and fifth $25.
In the 5km category the winners received six first class tickets each to Victoria Falls while the first runner-up got four first class tickets and second runner-up two first class tickets.
The NRZ is satisfied with its inaugural event and hope to build on that going into the future runs.
The NRZ is happy to note that school children took an active interest in the marathon, with some as young as nine years taking part.
One school, Revuly Secondary School, came all the way from Masvingo to take part.
The inaugural run tapped athletes from as far as Harare, Bindura, Ruwa, Masvingo, Mutare and the Matabeleland region.
Proceeds from the Marathon will be channelled towards assisting charity organisations and community development.
NRZ would like to pay homage to all those who participated and made the marathon a success among them, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB), the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and a host of athletics clubs from across the breadth and length of the country.
RESULTS:
21km (Senior Men)
| NAME | CLUB/SCHOOL | POSITION | TIME |
| Zimuto Tendayi | Black Rhinos | 1 | 1.05.16 |
| Hove Tatenda | Black Rhinos | 2 | 1.05.46.84 |
| Verevi Wellington | Black Rhinos | 3 | 1.05.11.87 |
21km Senior Women
| NAME | CLUB/SCHOOL | POSITION | TIME |
| Mhonderwa Rudo | Power House | 1 | 1.21.43.51 |
| Mahohoma Margereth | Independent | 2 | 1.32.12 |
| Lynnette Tom | ZRP Fairbridge | 3 | 1.34.20 |
21km Wheelchair Men
| NAME | CLUB/SCHOOL | POSITION | TIME |
| Muyoriwa Samson | Richwood | 1 | 1.08.55.96 |
| Doro Charles | Wolves | 2 | 1.40.33.00 |
| Ncube Meli | BCD | 3 | 2.1839 |
21km Wheelchair women
| NAME | CLUB/SCHOOL | POSITION | TIME |
| Majoni Moleen | Richwood | 1 | 1.47.32 |
| Muza Moline | Zvishavane | 2 | 1.49.11 |
| Tomu Ratidzo | Zvishavane | 3 | 2.39.20 |
10km senior men
| NAME | CLUB/SCHOOL | POS | TIME |
| Manzunzu Nyasha | Blanket mine | 1 | 32.11.12 |
| Daka Liberty | Super Stars | 2 | 42.14.51 |
| Ushe Joseph | Independent | 3 | 44.20.50 |
10km Junior Women
| NAME | CLUB/SCHOOL | POSITION | TIME |
| Nyathi Faith | City Meats | 1 | 42.13.08 |
| Poterai Beular | Revuly | 2 | 44.19.66 |
| Moyo Qeqetshile | Independent | 3 | 49.36.69 |
10km Junior Men
| NAME | CLUB/SCHOOL | POSITION | TIME |
| Katakura Godwinlight | Tatlow | 1 | 31.54.91 |
| Mafuane Believe | Revuly | 2 | 32.09.26 |
| Chitara Author | Black Rhinos | 3 | 32.11.12 |
5km Women
| NAME | CLUB/ SCHOOL | POSITION | TIME |
| Ndlovu Esnath | Individual | 1 | 22.38.23 |
| Mhlophe Delsha | City Meats | 2 | 27.42.52 |
| Dube Neo | City Meats | 3 | 29.05.59 |
5km Men
| NAME | CLUB/SCHOOL | POSITION | TIME |
| Chenjekai Simbarashe | Independent | 1 | 22.23.52 |
| Takwanda Clyde | Independent | 2 | 24.04.86 |
| Nyanda Lincoln | NRZ | 3 | 25.30.00 |
NYASHA MARAVANYIKA
PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
6 November 2018.
PRESS STATEMENT: NRZ INTRODUCES COMMUTER TRAIN IN BULAWAYO
The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) would like to advise the public that it is re-introducing commuter trains starting with the City- Cowdray Park route on Monday 5 November, 2018.
The commuter train will operate two services between Bulawayo Station and Esigodweni in Cowdray Park in the morning and evening from Monday to Friday.
Services on other routes will be introduced in due course.
The morning commuter train will depart Bulawayo Station at 0405 Hours and arrive at Esigodweni at 0530 Hours.
It will depart at 0535 Hours and arrive at Bulawayo Station at 0700 Hours.
The evening service will leave Bulawayo Station at 1730 Hours and arrive at Esigodweni at 1850 hours.
It will depart for the return trip at 1855 Hours and arrive at 2015 Hours.
It will have stops at “Greenroofs” in Cowdray Park, Luveve, Cowdray Park Level Crossing, Entumbane, Nguboyenja, Mpopoma and Westgate to pick up and drop off passengers.
The fare is pegged at 50 cents for a single ride. Only cash payment will be accepted for single ride tickets and purchases can be made either before boarding or while on board the train.
Commuters can also buy 10 multi-ride tickets for $4.50.
Multi-ride tickets can be bought using swipe or Ecocash at the Bulawayo Station.
The NRZ urges passengers to pay their fares.
Previously, the NRZ ran a commuter train from Bulawayo to Luveve. However, it has decided to extend the service to Esigodweni, about four kilometres from Luveve Siding, to cater for passengers in the new suburbs sprouting in the city who are paying commuter omnibuses $2 for a single trip into the city.
The NRZ has set aside seven passenger coaches for service.
The NRZ will like to appeal to passengers not to board or disembark from the train while it is motion. They should also avoid stampeding as they get aboard the train.
Nyasha Maravanyika
Public Relations Manager
31 October 2018
PRESS STATEMENT: NRZ TO HOLD CHARITY MARATHON
NRZ TO HOLD CHARITY MARATHON
The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) will on Saturday 3 November, 2018, hold the inaugural Rail Trail Annual Charity Half Marathon in Bulawayo. The marathon is set to become an annual feature on the Bulawayo athletics calendar and will coincide with the arrival of the first train in Bulawayo on 4 November 1897. The marathon will have four categories- the flagship 21km race, 10km, five kilometres and a one kilometre fun walk.
More than $8 500 has been set aside for prize money with the winner of the 21km race getting $2 000, the first runner up $1 000 and the second runner up $500. In the 21km wheelchair race, the winner will get $200, the runner up $150 and the second runner up $100. In the 10km race, prize money will be awarded to juniors only with the winner walking away with $150, the first runner up $100 and second runner up $75.
The prizes are applicable to both the men and women’s categories. The first NRZ employee to cross the finish line in the men and women’s categories of the 21km race will get $150. Proceeds of the marathon will be used to cater for charity organizations and community development. The marathon will be held under the theme For Charity, Community Development and a Healthy Zimbabwe.
NRZ is urging professional runners, amateurs, school children, keep fit enthusiasts and families to take part in this worthy cause. All races will start and end at the Raylton Recreation Club in Raylton, Bulawayo. Registration is $15 for seniors and $5 for juniors. Payment can be made in cash, Point of Sale (swipe) or Ecocash on Biller Code 128738.
Registration starts on Thursday 1 November 2018 to Friday 2 November 2018 from 0800hrs to 1800hrs.
Nyasha Maravanyika
Public Relations Manager.
PRESS STATEMENT: INTER-RAIL-TECH BRAND BEAMS BRONZE AT Mine ENTRA 2018
INTER-RAIL-TECH BRAND BEAMS BRONZE AT Mine ENTRA 2018
The National Railways of Zimbabwe’s (NRZ) Inter-Rail-Tech brand scooped a bronze medal at the just
ended Mine-Entra exhibition in Bulawayo. The NRZ, exhibiting under its Inter-Rail-Tech brand, was adjudged to be the third best exhibit in the Service Providers category of the Mine- Entra 2018 awards.
Inter-Rail-Tech was exhibiting at Mine-Entra for the second time having made its debut in 2017 and winning a bronze medal is a significant achievement for this new exciting NRZ brand. Inter-Rail-Tech consists of NRZ’s Mechanical, Signals, Electrical and Bridgeyard sections whose operations have been opened up to take outside jobs to provide a one stop solution to the mining and engineering industries.
Services offered by Inter-Rail-Tech include designing, fabrication, manufacturing, reconditioning, repairs,
rewinding, servicing and consultancy as well as boiler and wire rope maintenance inspections. Inter-Rail-Tech has technical staff comprising engineers, technicians and artisans. It was formed after the NRZ has realized there is a huge market for Inter-Rail-Tech services.
Inter-Rail-Tech boasts of its wide range of industrial machinery and equipment CNC-Computerized lathe machine; balancing machine for balancing rotors, turbines and armatures; pressing machines which can press up to 150 Tons; a foundry; jack hammers for civil works; vacuum pressure impregnation plant; mobile cranes and bulldozer.
NYASHA MAVARANYIKA
PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
PRESS STATEMENT: NRZ MOVES INTO MOZAMBIQUE TO IMPROVE WHEAT FLOWS
NRZ MOVES INTO MOZAMBIQUE TO IMPROVE WHEAT FLOWS
The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has moved closer to the Port of Beira in Mozambique to improve movement of wheat imports into the country. The NRZ has previously been taking delivery of wheat wagons from its interchange point at Machipanda on the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border.
However, due to challenges on the Mozambique side with the movement of rail traffic into Zimbabwe, the NRZ has made a decision to go beyond its interchange point of Machipanda to Nyamatanda, closer to the Port of Beira, to collect wheat traffic destined for the country. NRZ is now collecting wheat from Nyamatanda, 40 kilometres from Beira. So far NRZ has sent a couple of tandems (trains) to Nyamatanda between Sunday and Tuesday to collect 45 wagons of wheat.
The move by the NRZ to collect wheat closer to the port is meant to assist in the fast transportation of wheat into the country. Normally, NRZ gets its rail traffic from Beira at Mutare where it is delivered by the Mozambican rail authorities. But of late, NRZ has been taking delivery of cargo at Machipanda border post before the latest decision to extend deeper into Mozambican territory.
NRZ is an important player in the transportation of various imported goods, among them wheat. However, because of wheat shortages facing the country, NRZ has seen it fit to play its part to ameliorate the shortages by going beyond its usual territory of operations. As an economic enabler, the NRZ is fully committed to playing its role by ensuring extensive improvement in the transportation and delivery of all goods, including wheat, destined for the country.
N. Maravanyika
Public Relations Manager