Passengers travelling from Kabale are paying double bus fares, following the Presidential directive to re-open some business sectors, including public transport.
On Monday morning, buses and taxis officially resumed operations, after 42 days in lockdown, meant to help contain the spread of COVID-19.
However, Bus companies in Kabale including; Gate Way, Jaguar, Jussy, Baby Coach, Horizon, Platinum and Mash Poa met on Sunday and agreed to double the rates.
This is because the President directed on Friday, that buses and taxis carry 50% capacity.
Now, transport from Kabale to Kampala has doubled to 60,000 Shillings from the usual 30,000 Shillings, Kabale to Mbarara is now shillings 30,000 from 15,000. Kabale to Kisoro is shillings 30,000 from 10,000, Kabale-Katuna is now shillings 10,000 from 4,000.
Kabale-Rukungiri is now 30,000 from 15,000 Shillings. From Kabale to the Uganda-Rwanda border of Kamwezi costs 20,000 shillings from 7,000. From Kabale to Rubanda is now 10,000 from 5,000 shillings.
According to Justus Tukamushaba, the Secretary-General of Kabale Taxi and Bus Park Operators Association, the increase of transport fares is attributed to the presidential directives and the fare will enable bus operators to compensate for the empty seats as they comply with the COVID-19 preventive measures.
