Ugandan Bus companies have brushed up transport fares following the President’s partial lifting of the lockdown. The revision comes on as bus companies hit the road running today 04-jun, two months after being grounded by government in bid to contain the spread of COVID-19. However, their operations are limited as each bus is conditioned to carry half of its capacity to ensure physical distancing among passengers.
More so, transporters are expected to provide temperature guns to measure the body temperature of all travellers before they are allowed on board. Passengers will also board on to the buses on if adorned in a face mask.
The revision in transport fares is a measure to counter check the directive to carry half number of passengers by each bus.
While commenting about the revision, Emma Wabwire, the Operations Manager of YY Coaches and Couriers Services, says they have increased their fares by 10,000 Shillings. The new rate from Kampala to Mbale, Bukedea and Kachumbala has increased from 20,000 to 30,000 Shillings, according to Wabwire.
Kampala to Soroti has increased from 25,000 to 35,000 Shillings while Kampala to Otuboi has increased from 30,000 to Shillings 40,000 Shillings. Passengers will pay 40,000 Shillings to travel from Kampala to Dokolo, Lwala, Agwatato and 45,000 Shillings to travel to Lira through Soroti. On the northern route, the fares from Kampala to Lira through Karuma is now 35,000 from the usual 25,000 Shillings and Kampala to Apac through Karuma is 40,000 from 30,000 Shillings.
According to a statement by YY Bus Company, the new fares are ideal given the prevailing circumstances.
Jude Tumwine, the Manager of Global buses, says they have increased their fares from Kampala to Mbarara from 15,000 to 40,000 Shillings. Swift Safaris, which plies the Kampala- Mbarara and Kampala-Ishaka routes, has also revised its fares from 20,000 and 30,000 to 35,000 and 45,000 Shillings respectively.
However, Bus companies that transverse and ply their trade to border districts like Mash Poa, Baby Coaches, Gate Way buses, Trinity and Jaguar have less hope of returning on the road soon as public transport in border districts is still barred. Up to 40 districts are affected by the postponed lockdown lifting in boarder districts.
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