<All About Uganda #6: Moving Around>
Hi STEEMIT!
In countries like the U.S., South Korea, and many developing countries (and especially metropolitan areas), it’s quite easy to find yourself traveling from point A to point B using public transportations like buses or trains, or you may decide to hire a cab or get an Uber with a click of an app. In many cases, how well public transportation works is an indicator of the strength of its infrastructure and the efficiency of cabs show how well the private sector is complementing the market needs.
You might be wondering, so how about public transportation in Kampala, Uganda? In particular, if you want to travel significant distances from the city, what do you do?
Rule 1: We move when we’re full.
It’s difficult to make prior engagements at specific times when you don’t have a set time of departure. Unfortunately, the car won’t leave until the seats are filled up. That’s how you leave a profit. (On a side note, not to throw jabs at the US, but systems like Amtrak and bus companies like Megabus have had major issues regarding the same problem, though in their case, it’s not so much an unwillingness to leave as it is the inability to do so due to inefficiencies in scheduling, gauging traffic, staffing, etc.)
(Resource: https://www.redpepper.co.ug/taxi-bosses-granted-sh-198m-pay-off/)
Rule 2: If not full, ye shall fill it!
After waiting on the bus to fill up, it seems like you’ve lucked out! Nobody’s sitting next to you, and the conductor and driver seem to have decided it’s time to leave. Not quite. The conductor will continue to harmonize with the honking of the driver to have passersby hop in for a ride. You’ll find yourself (and the vehicle) swerving to the sides of roads as they try to fill up the bus.
Rule 3: Humans and animals, all in one!
(Resource: https://www.care2.com/causes/sucess-kampala-says-no-to-inhumane-dog-culling.html)
Wait, the person sitting next to you is not a person? Don’t be alarmed. This happens. Anything from goats, dogs, chicken--they’re all fair game! The 7-year old boy who was holding onto the wings of the chicken, the lady seated next to me petting her baby goat… Brings back memories.
Of course these services are provided at quite a low price, making it affordable and with a significant personal touch. A bit of a culture shock at first, yes, but once you get the hang of it, it absolutely grows on you. That’s it for today!
The story continues...
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