Bus fares to upcountry areas have shot up as the Christmas festive season draws closer. A mini survey conducted by local news agency, Uganda Radio Network, in bus terminals in Kampala shows that transport fares have shot up by between Shillings 5000 and 20, 0000 Shillings as the volume of travelers increases. Due to the high volume of travelers, most of them have to brave the scotching sun, to secure a seat on their favorite bus.
Travelers to Mubende have to fork out Shillings 20,000 from Shillings 15,000 previously. Those traveling to Fort portal and Kibiito in Bunyangabu District are paying Shillings 35,000 from Shillings 15,000. Transport to Kasese, Bwera and Bundibugyo has doubled from Shillings 20,000 40,000. This varies from Bus Company to another.
While Link bus services charges Shillings 40,000, Pokopoko bus services was charging Shillings 30,000 as of Tuesday December 12. Transport to Mbarara has increased from Shillings 15,000 shillings to 20,000 at all bus terminals. The fare to Ibanda has also increased from Shillings 20,000 to 30,000 while those traveling to Kabale have to fork out Shillings 30,000 from Shillings 20,000 and 25,000 previously. Transport fares to northern Uganda had increased slightly as of Tuesday December 12.
For instance transport from Kampala to Arua had increased from Shillings 30,000 to 35,000. The fares to Koboko and Yumbe also increased from Shillings 35,000 and 38,000 respectively to now Shillings 40,000 in California buses. The bus operators defend the increment, saying while there is a huge volume of travelers to up country areas, the buses return empty.
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