Train, buses excite passengers, taxi strike flops
Mar 12, 2012
Pioneer bus operations have excited passengers rendering taxi drivers’ strike useless.
By Vision Reporter
Pioneer Easy Buses have started operations in Kampala on the day taxi operators went on strike to protest a sh120,000 monthly charge by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
The unexpected start of the buses operation Monday morning has come as a relief to passengers as it eased transport problems in some places where taxi drivers had parked their vehicles.
The bus operation rendered the taxi operators strike ineffective and some drivers opted to pay their dues to KCCA to compete with the buses.
Unlike in the past, where taxi drivers’ strikes paralyzed public transport, this time round many passengers are able to reach their destinations.
Buses charge half the fare. Passengers from Bweyogerere to Kampala where taxis charge sh1500 or sh2000, buses charge sh800.
Easy Bus moves along Kampala road. Photo by Juliet Lukwago
Routes that have buses in operation include; Entebbe Road, Masaka Road, Hoima Road, Gayaza, Bweyogerere and Bugoloobi among other places.
Pioneer easy bus operations officer Abdukarim Lukoda told the New Vision that Pioneer management, KCCA, government and police agreed over the weekend to transport passengers as taxi drivers strike.
KCCA officials have insisted that taxi drivers should pay the sh120,000 and warned that they will not allow any taxi to operate on city Roads. Drivers want to pay sh70,000 which KCCA says it’s too little.
KCCA spokesperson Peter Kauju confirmed that the crackdown on taxis that have not paid will continue.
KCCA officials assisted by traffic Police have launched a crackdown on all taxis that have not paid the monthly sh120,000.
They have mounted check points at all major strategic entry points into the city and taxi drivers who have not paid up have had their taxis grounded.
Passengers inside Easy bus from Jinja Road, Nakawa, Ntinda, Kamwokya, Mulago at only sh 800. Photo by Juliet Lukwago