Taxi operators increase transport fares

Motorists in Kampala. Taxi Operators along different routes in the country have increased the transport fares following increase in fuel prices. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Taxi Operators along different routes in the country have increased the transport fares following increase in fuel prices.

Taxi Operators along different routes in the country have increased the transport fares following increase in fuel prices.
Currently, a litre of petrol costs Shs4, 300 while diesel costs Shs3, 500.

Transport from Kampala to Masaka has gone up from Shs5, 000 to Shs7, 000, Kampala to Jinja has gone up from Shs6, 000 shillings to Shs8, 000, Kampala to Kamuli and Iganga from Shs12, 000 to Shs14, 000.

Others are Kampala to Mbale and Tirinyi from Shs15, 000 to Shs18, 000.

From the old and new taxi park to Kawempe, Matuga, Bukoto, Ntinda, the fares have also increased from Shs1, 500 shillings to 2,000. Kireka, Bweyogerere from 1,000 to Shs1, 500.

Mustafa Mayambala, chairman of Driver and Conductors Central Association, says that the increase is justified because the drivers don't want to operate on losses because of the high fuel price.

Some of the taxi operators say that they have no option but increase fares given the increase in fuel prices.
Moses Daka, a driver along Mbale-Tirinyi road says that they decided to increase the fares after the bus operators did the same.

Elia Waiswa, a taxi driver along the Kampala-Kamuli route wants the passengers to bear with them because they have nothing they can do.

However, some travelers say that the increase is an extra burden to them.
Hope Atwine, a resident of Bushenyi says that the increase in fares has left her no option but to reduce on her movements.
"Before the fares, I used to go to Mbarara three times a week. It would cost me Shs5, 000, but they are charging 10,000 shillings. I cannot afford it."Atwine says.

James Buyengo, a resident of Kamwokya says that government should intervene and appeal to the operators to reduce the fares.
Joyce Chandiru, an African textile hawker, says that the increase in transport fares has affected her business since she has had to reduce her movements.

At some taxi stages, some travelers have resorted to walking half the distance to be able to afford the fares.