Pen Commercial College Eases Student Commutes With Two New Mini Buses

By Azriel Chimeno

Kadoma-based Pen Commercial College has taken a decisive step to address student transport challenges, officially unveiling two new mini buses during a ceremony held at the school premises on Monday. The acquisition of the vehicles, which will provide dedicated transport for learners, was facilitated through an asset financing facility from ZB Bank. The move is set to reduce the daily commute burden for students who travel from various parts of Kadoma and surrounding areas to attend classes at the independent college.

For some time, transport has been a significant hurdle for many students enrolled at Pen Commercial College. Learners commuting from suburbs like Rimuka, Patchway, and Waverley often relied on public kombis, facing high fares, overcrowding, and inconsistent schedules that led to late arrivals and missed lectures.

“Transport costs and delays were eating into study time. Some students would arrive tired or stressed before class even began,” said Portia Hwami, Principal of Pen Commercial College. “As an institution, we realised we had to intervene to protect learning time,” she said.

The unveiling ceremony on Monday brought together college staff, students, and ZB Bank officials. The two mini buses, branded in the college’s colors, were showcased on the school grounds before being commissioned for service. Representatives from ZB Bank attended the event, noting that the partnership aligns with the bank’s focus on community development and education support.

“ZB Bank is committed to enabling institutions that empower youth through education,” said Kadona ZB Bank Representative. “Facilitating this acquisition means students can access learning opportunities more reliably, and that’s an investment in Kadoma’s future,” he said

Principal Hwami highlighted that the new buses complement the college’s existing fleet and will expand transport capacity. “We are grateful to our parents for initiating this move and for making the acquisition of these two mini buses possible. With the buses we already had, this addition means we can now serve more students and run more efficient routes. The buses will ferry our students to and from school daily and also help us with trips and sports competitions,” the Principal said.

Student leaders also welcomed the development. Headgirl Ephania thanked the school authorities for the initiative, saying the buses would ease daily transport challenges and benefit learners beyond regular commutes.

“We are really grateful to the college for listening to students and unveiling these new buses. They will help us get to school on time and safely,” said Ephania. “We are also excited that we can now use the buses when going for educational trips and sporting events. It makes us feel proud to be part of Pen Commercial College,” said the shool Headgirl.

The mini buses will operate on fixed routes targeting high-density student areas, with a timetable structured around the college’s lecture schedule. This is expected to cut transport costs for students by up to 40%, while also improving punctuality and class attendance. College administrators say the service will particularly benefit students who travel long distances and those attending early morning or late afternoon sessions.

The investment goes beyond logistics. Pen Commercial College views the transport scheme as part of broader student welfare support. “Our responsibility doesn’t end in the lecture room,” Hwami added. “If a student is worried about how to get home, they cannot focus fully on academics. These buses remove that barrier,” she concluded.

ZB Bank facilitated the purchase through a tailored asset finance arrangement, allowing the college to acquire the vehicles without straining its operational budget. The bank indicated it continues to explore partnerships with educational institutions across Zimbabwe to improve access and quality of learning.