In a rare show of unity, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and the city Executive Director Jennifer Musisi, have both agreed to review the contract with Pioneer Easy Bus.
The two KCCA leaders have been embroiled in a struggle for almost a year over who has the powers to manage the authority. But on Tuesday, the duo agreed to review, amend and verify the bus contract to address issues that have emerged from the petition. Some of the issues include the exclusivity of routes, prescription of fares, designated bus lanes, routes and stops which will need to be published in the gazette.
Taxi drivers, owners and conducted had sought for financial support from government, through a petition in parliament, just like the one claimed to be extended to Pioneer Easy Bus.
Ethics Minister, Reverend Father Simon Lokodo appearing on behalf of Muruli Mukasa, the Acting Minister for the Presidency said KCCA shall take into account concerns raised and will embrace liberalization of the transport sector.
He observes that contrary to the public view, neither KCCA nor government is obligated to grant Pioneer Easy Bus any guarantee and financial comfort.
Now the authority awaits the amendment of the statutory instrument from the ministry of transport. The instrument will operationalise the Metropolitan Physical Planning Authority which is meant to take care of planning of the greater Kampala area.
The committee of public service and local government has now concluded its hearings on the bus services. Florence Kintu, the chairperson is hopeful that the bus operations will resume after parliament has made its pronouncement on the matter. She is quick to add that the legislators are not opposed to the operations of the bus but all parties need to follow the law.
Pioneer Easy Bus was contracted by KCCA on December 16th 2010 to bring in public bus transport that would help decongest the city. The concession contract was for one year extendable to a term of five years after evaluation.
All parties have since admitted that they breached the contract. Pioneer Easy Bus failed to bring 100 buses within four months of signing the contract. KCCA on the other hand did not designate the bus lanes, stops and fares to be used by passengers. The Ministry of Transport was also to formulate an instrument that would facilitate the smooth operations of the bus.
