Passengers opt for lorries as bus fares rise

Transport. Bus owners say an increase in the price of spare parts for buses is to blame.

Two months after the festive season, transport shortage woes continue to arise in West Nile, with travelling between the region and Kampala increasingly becoming a nightmare.

Scores of passengers were yesterday stranded at the various bus booking offices following an increase in fares.

Those who fell short of the money had no option but to cancel their journeys. Those who had urgent commitments in Kampala, had to borrow money from friends, while some considered travelling by lorries.

Mr Kenneth Andama, a student, said: “How can we pay for spare parts which the bus owners say have become expensive? It is the companies to incur the expenses because they get a lot of money.”

However, the chairperson for the West Nile Route Bus Operations Association, Mr Jeffers Anguyo, said there had been an increase in operational costs during and after the festive season.
“The owners have either adjusted the fares by Shs2,000 or Shs5,000 after the festive season effective February 15,” Mr Anguyo said.

Maintenance costs
The administrator of Gaaga Bus, Mr Jackson Odiri, said following a recent meeting with bus owners, they were told to raise the fare due to an increase in fuel prices and the rising cost of spare parts for the buses.

The five bus companies plying the West Nile route include Gaaga Coaches, KKT, Nile Coach, California, and Idil.

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