Transport charges increase
Dec 16, 2007
TAXI and bus operators have increased fares within Kampala city and to upcountry destinations ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations. The fares for taxis plying city routes have increased by sh500, especially during rush hours, while fares to upcountry destinations have almost doubled.
By Chris Kiwawulo
and Samuel Balagadde
TAXI and bus operators have increased fares within Kampala city and to upcountry destinations ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations. The fares for taxis plying city routes have increased by sh500, especially during rush hours, while fares to upcountry destinations have almost doubled.
The Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association chairman, John Ndyomugyenyi, had asked the drivers not to unnecessarily hike the fares but they have, as usual, defied his directive. The drivers hike fares especially during evening hours when many people are rushing back home.
A mini-survey revealed that taxis moving from the city centre to Kawempe had increased fares to sh1,500 from sh1,000, while Bweyogerere’s fares rose to sh1,500 from sh700.
The charges to Ntinda have gone up to sh1,000 from sh500, while Makindye’s have risen to sh1,000 from sh700. Gayaza’s rose to sh1,500 from sh1,000.
For upcountry destinations, the fares have increased mostly for bus passengers. The fare from Kampala to Kisoro has risen to sh25,000 from sh20,000, while a Kampala to Masaka trip now costs sh10,000 from sh5,000.
Fares for Kampala to Gulu, Lira, Arua and Apac rose to sh25,000 from sh18,000. Kampala to Kigali sh40,000 from sh30,000, Kampala to Nairobi sh45,000 from sh30,000.
Fares to Kabarole, Kabale, Mbarara, Kasese and Bundibugyo are stable at between sh15,000 and sh20,000 because few people are travelling to these areas.
An official of the United Bus Drivers’ Association confirmed the increment.
The drivers attributed the increment to the increased number of passengers heading to villages for the festive season and the increase in fuel prices.
Last week, the price of all fuel products increased due to increasing world prices resulting from low supply from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
“Passengers travelling to Kampala are few, forcing us to drive empty buses. Coupled with overheads like high fuel prices and maintenance costs, this has forced us to hike the fare,†a bus operator at Qualicel Bus Terminal said.
and Samuel Balagadde
TAXI and bus operators have increased fares within Kampala city and to upcountry destinations ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations. The fares for taxis plying city routes have increased by sh500, especially during rush hours, while fares to upcountry destinations have almost doubled.
The Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association chairman, John Ndyomugyenyi, had asked the drivers not to unnecessarily hike the fares but they have, as usual, defied his directive. The drivers hike fares especially during evening hours when many people are rushing back home.
A mini-survey revealed that taxis moving from the city centre to Kawempe had increased fares to sh1,500 from sh1,000, while Bweyogerere’s fares rose to sh1,500 from sh700.
The charges to Ntinda have gone up to sh1,000 from sh500, while Makindye’s have risen to sh1,000 from sh700. Gayaza’s rose to sh1,500 from sh1,000.
For upcountry destinations, the fares have increased mostly for bus passengers. The fare from Kampala to Kisoro has risen to sh25,000 from sh20,000, while a Kampala to Masaka trip now costs sh10,000 from sh5,000.
Fares for Kampala to Gulu, Lira, Arua and Apac rose to sh25,000 from sh18,000. Kampala to Kigali sh40,000 from sh30,000, Kampala to Nairobi sh45,000 from sh30,000.
Fares to Kabarole, Kabale, Mbarara, Kasese and Bundibugyo are stable at between sh15,000 and sh20,000 because few people are travelling to these areas.
An official of the United Bus Drivers’ Association confirmed the increment.
The drivers attributed the increment to the increased number of passengers heading to villages for the festive season and the increase in fuel prices.
Last week, the price of all fuel products increased due to increasing world prices resulting from low supply from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
“Passengers travelling to Kampala are few, forcing us to drive empty buses. Coupled with overheads like high fuel prices and maintenance costs, this has forced us to hike the fare,†a bus operator at Qualicel Bus Terminal said.