Kampala needs a mayor who can solve traffic jam woes
Nov 15, 2010
EDITOR: So many things have been promised as the Kampala mayoral race heats up. Some of the very contentious issues that need immediate address is the never-ending traffic jam in the city.
EDITOR: So many things have been promised as the Kampala mayoral race heats up. Some of the very contentious issues that need immediate address is the never-ending traffic jam in the city.
A candidate who honestly promises to establish an organised public bus transport system and replacing the commuter taxis will greatly reduce this problem and win many people's votes. Nasser Sebaggala had initially promised such a good programme during his campaigns as mayor, but he did not follow through with it.
I miss the bus because of the well designated bus stops and fixed routes. Service is provided on a repetitive, fixed-schedule basis along a specific route with vehicles stopping to pick up or drop passengers at specific locations. Each route has fixed fares.
Time is managed well and buses are generally comfortable and one does not have to get out of their seat to give way to another who is disembarking. Unlike commuter taxis, buses do not run out of fuel along the way necessitating the conductor to run to the nearest petrol station with a jerrycan.
There is little contact with the driver and conductor because buses issue tickets. This means there are less chances of conflict with passengers.
In the USA and thes UK, for instance, there are high capacity buses which carry as many as 300 passengers. These buses are organised in large fleets or as small concerns and do a lot in curbing traffic jams in cities.
The Government of Uganda or individuals could contact reputable companies like Wrightbus and Volvo Buses in Europe to supply such buses for a start.
Patrick Mikisa
Kampala
A candidate who honestly promises to establish an organised public bus transport system and replacing the commuter taxis will greatly reduce this problem and win many people's votes. Nasser Sebaggala had initially promised such a good programme during his campaigns as mayor, but he did not follow through with it.
I miss the bus because of the well designated bus stops and fixed routes. Service is provided on a repetitive, fixed-schedule basis along a specific route with vehicles stopping to pick up or drop passengers at specific locations. Each route has fixed fares.
Time is managed well and buses are generally comfortable and one does not have to get out of their seat to give way to another who is disembarking. Unlike commuter taxis, buses do not run out of fuel along the way necessitating the conductor to run to the nearest petrol station with a jerrycan.
There is little contact with the driver and conductor because buses issue tickets. This means there are less chances of conflict with passengers.
In the USA and thes UK, for instance, there are high capacity buses which carry as many as 300 passengers. These buses are organised in large fleets or as small concerns and do a lot in curbing traffic jams in cities.
The Government of Uganda or individuals could contact reputable companies like Wrightbus and Volvo Buses in Europe to supply such buses for a start.
Patrick Mikisa
Kampala