Transport fees to Uganda’s National Parks hikes
Whenever it clocks to 20th December, transport fees to the various parts of Uganda increases. Unique from other countries, in Uganda the transport operators love this season of the year and despite the fuel charges remaining constant, the fees for using the public vehicles increase. It is therefore in order for tourists to be well informed about this so that they don’t fall prey to the vice. For one to access the national parks in the country during this festive season, he/she has to pay slightly higher than the normal fees especially those using public means. For those using a car hire company services like Maranatha tours and Travel, the fees are not hiked. This is the reason why one is advised to use a credible travel company so as to avoid being cheated by the public drivers.
Why are transport fees hiked in Uganda?
Though some people have their cultural and religious beliefs as to why transport charges during the festive season are hiked, there are some practical reasons which could be the actual reasons. I got a chance of walking through the Kampala taxi park and I spoke to some of the local drivers. Semuju Franklin one of the long serving transport operators in the park said that the reason why they increase the charges is because there are very many clients during this season fighting for the services. He said that just like any other business, once the demand increases and supply is constant, obviously prices have to increase. During the festive season, many Ugandans travel from towns to Villages so that they can go and spend the holiday with their loved ones. In Uganda, everyone has an origin which in most cases is the village and it’s during this period that they find time to go and spend some quality time with them. Therefore, as there are very many people wanting to use the buses and taxis to move to their respective villages, the taxi operators find it the best time to increase prices and increase their income. Franklin went on and tried to elaborate more on his point by saying that since people are moving from towns to villages, there are higher chances of driving an empty vehicle when driving back to Kampala.
Okoth is another taxi operator in Kampala, once we asked him about his opinion; he wasn’t shy to tell as that according to him, he increases the charges simply because he wants to use the one-time opportunity to earn more profits. He said that since the taxes were increased in 2014 especially those that the taxi operators pay, he wants to use the festive season to raise the money he will use to pay the authorities. He went on to say that everyone wants money to feed his family well during Christmas and therefore the operators too want to feed their families by getting enough money during the festive season.
After the survey, I came up with a conclusion that since it’s a general practice which has turned out to be a cultural practice in the country, visitors cannot escape it. The only way one can survive it is by booking car hire services with a registered company like Maranatha Tours and Travel so as to enjoy movements from one place to another at normal charges. Our company ensures that clients’ priorities come first and they are given value for their money during any period of the year irrespective of the seasonal changes.
Book with us now from wherever you are and we shall provide you with our enchanting car rental services.
