Bus operators in Northern Uganda have raised fares on routes to Kampala, the Nile Post reported. The United Bus Owners Association (Northern) announced the new rates. They took effect on November 1 and will stay in force until further notice. Operators say rising fuel prices left them no choice.
Under the new rates, a trip from Lira to Kampala costs Shs50,000 on executive buses and Shs40,000 on ordinary services. From Apac, the fares are Shs60,000 and Shs50,000. From Aduku, passengers pay Shs50,000 for executive buses and Shs45,000 for ordinary ones. Travellers from Kamdini and Karuma pay Shs35,000. Fares from Bweyale and Kigumba are set at Shs30,000.
Bernard Anyeko Masango is spokesperson for the Northern Uganda Drivers and Transport Network Association. He said the decision followed wide consultations with vehicle owners and taxi association leaders. He promised that fares would come down if fuel prices fall. "When the price of fuel drops, definitely we are going to hold an immediate meeting and reduce our transport fares," he said.
Dennis Okwir manages Real Coach Bus Services in Lira. He said operators had run at a loss for three months. His company buys fuel at about Shs7,150 a litre, and one bus needs about Shs2 million worth of fuel. A full bus of 65 passengers at the old Shs30,000 fare collected Shs1.95 million. That was not enough to cover fuel alone. At Shs40,000, the same bus collects Shs2.6 million. Okwir asked passengers to bear with operators, saying the rise was "the effect of fuel".
Taxi drivers are feeling the squeeze too. Jimmy Agong drives the Lira-Elegu route. He said fuel for a return trip has risen from about Shs330,000 to Shs480,000. A litre now sells at about Shs7,200, he said.
Agong said costly tyres and spare parts add to the pressure. He blamed the poor state of the Gulu-Elegu road for frequent tyre damage. Some drivers now finish trips with nothing left over, he said, while their fuel debts remain.