<p>This article explores the public transport sector challenges and associated lost economic development opportunities in Zimbabwe. The methodology used combined personal experiences and documentary analysis. Following extensive review of existing literature from previous research articles, institutional reports, government documents and expert magazines, the research established that, the country continues to lose its historical position in the Sub-Saharan Africa public transportation system as a strategic regional transport hub. This is despite a previous history of a robust multi-modal public transport system. The once vibrant multi-modal transport system is dead. The aviation industry is struggling, the railway system is disappearing and the mass public transit system is collapsed, with the multi-modal transport infrastructure being neglected. Consequently, transport agglomeration effects on economic growth, are reversed as distribution and supply chain costs escalate. Findings also confirm that public transport system is shambolic, with heightened informal road transport dependency crisis exposing public transport users to excessive road congestion, inflated transport costs and increased road accident risk, which magnify economic costs and uncertainty. Factors like declining economic productive capacity, huge transport infrastructure gap of US$29 billion, lack of new transport investment, rising national debt burden and unfinished transportation sector reforms are frustrating transportation development. To reverse the deteriorating trend, whilst upgrading and modernising public transport system, government policies that strengthen transport sector reforms and eliminate all costs associated with bureaucratic inefficiencies are urgently needed. A strong recommitment to a multi-modal transport system that reduces over-reliance on road transport at competitive and sustainable costs is necessary.</p>