Travelers in and around Kampala on Monday enjoyed a new traveling experience in over 20 years following the start of operations by Pioneer Easy Bus operations on all major routes in the city.
The last time the city dwellers had such an experience was in the early 1990s when the then government-owned Uganda Transport Company (UTC) was in operation. Since then the taxi operators under the UTODA have literally been running the city transport.
Pioneer Easy Bus started operations after the taxi operators went on strike protesting high fees charged by Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) which now runs public transport in the city.
A Uganda Radio Network reporter took rides on the new Orange-and-Black buses and observed that travelers are indeed enjoying the new experience.
Each bus seats 30 passengers with a standing capacity for 31 more although URN observed that in some instances more than 61 people actually were on board. Each bus is also fitted with a TV set and a radio and music system which soothes the passengers.
The buses are manned by a driver, two conductors and two armed police officers. At each stop, the front door is flung open as passengers disembark or embark.
Once on board, the conductors clad in gray trousers with matching and branded white shirts and either ties or scuffs issue each passenger with a ticket which is checked each time a passenger disembarks.
Grace Sanyati, a conductor on Bus P 060 B plying the Luzira route, said most people were surprised to see the buses on the road. Sanyati said the excitement was high.
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Robert Senoga, another conductor, said the passengers have been all praise and supportive so far, adding that the beginning has been great for them.
For just 800 shillings one is entitled to a distance of over 10 kilometers from the city centre.
James Musoke, who boarded from Bombo Road opposite Sure House to YMCA, a distance of about a kilometer, complained that for such a distance the fare should have been smaller. But Senoga said the rate is fair and in the long run many will appreciate it.
Sharon Kwagala, a resident of Mutungo, said the buses have literally saved them from taxi operators who were ripping them off. She said when she had that the buses were on the road she decided to avoid the taxis.
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Paul Twalibangi, a policeman on one of the buses, said that after a number of runs it had become monotonous and somehow boring.
URN observed that while most passengers welcomed the buses, they still face some challenges like a few buses, narrow and potholed roads, no proper stages and unnecessary stops.
Nonetheless the buses, though just 100, are comfortable, reliable and are set to change the face of public transport in the country.
