Government to gazette 66 taxi stages in Kampala

KAMPALA - In a move to regulate and harmonise operation of public transport in Kampala city, the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Betty Amongi, has said government is proposing to gazette strictly 66 taxi stages including Parks and 137 routes. 

While addressing journalists at the Media Centre in Kampala on Tuesday, the minister said after consultations with other stakeholders, they have also mapped out 970 boda boda stages in Kampala, but only 585, have been gazetted to operate in the five Divisions.

 
The said consultations kicked off in 2013, and having rejuvenated the exercise in 2016, the technical report has now been produced for further consultations at a political level.

She further revealed that government also intends to introduce route numbers and rout colours for all the taxis to enhance order in the business, adding that the implementation of all these changes shall be done in close collaboration with the leaders of the Stages and Parks.

The minister disclosed that the rehabilitation work at the old taxi park shall be accomplished by the contracted companies (Stirling Civil Engineering Limited and Kiru General Services Limited) within a period of three months at a cost of UGX Sh12bn.

 
She added "The scope of work will include excavation and disposal of the existing material, installation of underground drainage lines, rock fill, and construction of new foundation layers for the carpet and surfacing of the constructed layers with asphalt concrete (tarmac)."

"The new carpet will have markings to delineate areas for parking a taxi and pedestrian movements. The boundaries of the Park will be retained properly to prevent mud from washing onto the carpet as has been the case. There will be lighting and some waiting sheds for passengers. 

 
The park will have designated entry and exit points for both vehicles and pedestrians and will have access control for vehicles to avoid queuing on the surrounding roads and congestion within the Park," the Minister said.

Meanwhile, the Kampala Capital City Authority Executive Director, Eng. Andrew Kitaka, told New vision, on Monday, that KCCA convened in a meeting with different taxi drivers' leaders and agreed on the alternative areas they would use just in case the lockdown is lifted before the rehabilitation exercise of the old taxi park could be accomplished.