By Barnet A. Shizzola
The Uganda Railway Corporation (URC) has today handed over an operation license to Rift Valley Railways (RVR) to begin commuter train services on Monday next week. This follows a partnership between the two organizations and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) aimed at reducing traffic in the city.
Speaking at the event, Charles Kateba the Managing Director URC said the passenger train services will begin with the Namanve Kampala route. The estimated journey time will be approximately 40 minutes and will cost Ushs 1,500 per journey. Return tickets will however go for Ushs 2,000.
“The commuter train services will help reduce the pressure on traffic particularly road rush hours. The legal and financial arrangements are in place for us to begin operations. URC will be in charge of selling tickets and customer care whereas RVR will be in charge of operating the trains and maintaining the stations at Kampala, Nakawa, Kireka, Nambole and Namanve. KCCA will provide financial support to cover the shortfall in income against operation costs. So far the Authority has already provided Ushs 1 billion as a way of showing full commitment to this service,” he said.
Charles Ouma from KCCA said, “We have 11000 registered taxis which for a city like Kampala are too many. Together with the boda bodas, they are the biggest causes of traffic in Kampala. The commuter trains will go a long way in improving efficiencies and transit times.”
