Calls for action on Pioneer buses report

The Public Service and Local Government committee instituted investigations into PEBL operations after a petition by Kiira, Entebbe, Nansana and Mukono town councils led by Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze.

The Uganda Passengers Protection Association has urged the Ministry of Works and other relevant departments to “quickly implement recommendations” made by a parliamentary committee to harmonise Pioneer Easy Bus Limited operations.

The Public Service and Local Government committee instituted investigations into PEBL operations after a petition by Kiira, Entebbe, Nansana and Mukono town councils led by Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze.

The petition called for Parliament to review the Traffic and Road Safety regulations and investigate the validity of the agreement between KCCA and PEBL appointing the company as the agents to operate bus services in the Kampala Metropolitan Area.

Adressing a press briefing yesterday, Mr Jonathan Abaine, the secretary general of UPPA, said the city authority should expedite the process of advertising the remaining un-relocated transport zones to offer transport operations.

“Traffic congestion should be reduced through use of high capacity transport facilitation of 60 seaters, transport fares regulated and road safety improved,” Mr Abaine said.

The report, that was tabled in Parliament in December last year, recommends that the public transport contract has to be implemented under a Public Private Partnership arrangement.
It also said government should abide by the terms of the concession and meet its obligations.

“Fares should not be fixed arbitrarily. There should be clear technical study and breakdown of the costs and benefits of providing the service to avoid overcharging/under-charging by the operators,” the report further recommends.

Mr Peter Kaujju, the KCCA spokesperson, said a team had been constituted to look into the recommendations and produce a report which will be made public.

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