Low turn-up in bus, taxi parks as Ugandans return to work after lockdown
Additional reporting by Jonah Kirabo
Public transport has finally resumed operating across different parts of the country amidst a low turn-up of passengers.
President Museveni in his Friday address allowed all public transporters to get back on the road starting Monday and operate at 50 percent capacity among other strict guidelines.
In a spot check done by this reporter on Monday morning, few travellers had turned up in a number of parks.
There is an observance of SOPs at parks right now (Photo by Francis Isaano)
At Namayiba Bus Park, only ten buses were on the road by 11am.
Passenger brokers had also been suspended in the park as a way to decongest the park and follow guidelines issued by the president and Ministry of Transport.
Fares
By press time, transporters had vowed not to hike the taxi and bus fares.
Transport to Mbale for example was Shs 35,000.
Other fares
Soroti - Shs 40,000
Lira - 40,000
Arua - 50,000
Adjumani - 30,000
The Ministry of Transport on Saturday issued new guidelines that will guide the use of public transport for the next two weeks, saying compliance will be reviewed and other guidelines issued after.
Many parks are yet to return to pre-lockdown business (Photo by Francis Isaano)
Among the new guidelines, the ministry discouraged the public from using public transport, unless where necessary.
The ministry also urged taxi and bus operators to ensure social distancing in parks, minimise congestion and maintain proper hygiene.
