Feasibility studies have identified Jinja city center, Jinja-Iganga highway, and Jinja-Lugazi road as the pilot routes for the electronic buses before expanding to other destinations.
Jinja city authorities have partnered with Kiira EV to promote
electric transport in the city as a solution to growing traffic congestion
and air pollution caused by increasing numbers of second-hand fuel-powered
vehicles. The collaboration aims to introduce green means of transport and
establish a green transport system that can be expanded to other parts of the
country.
Allan Muhumuza, the team leader of Mobility at Kiira Motors
Corporation, announced on Thursday that the project is still in its planning
stages. Feasibility studies have identified Jinja city center, Jinja-Iganga
highway, and Jinja-Lugazi road as the pilot routes for the electronic buses
before expanding to other destinations.
The buses currently have a mileage of 300 kilometers after a
full charge, and Jinja city authorities have been tasked with providing
suitable land for charging stations and a modern depot for efficient bus
charging and maintenance. Jinja city authorities are required to determine
viable routes for the pilot project, develop a well-researched transport master
plan, and provide accurate scientific data on the population's transport needs.
The Science and Technology Minister, Monica Musenero,
highlighted Jinja city's strategic location and its potential for attracting
investment and creating employment through the transformation of the transport
sector. Musenero emphasized that the project would involve training and
employment opportunities for drivers and conductors in the current Jinja city
transport sector.
Electronic buses are cost-effective with lower servicing costs,
and efforts are being made to collaborate with private sector partners to
enable current taxi owners to access the buses through credit-based saccos
(savings and credit cooperatives).
//Cue in: “Public transport costs…
Cue out…costs 65% less,”//.
1st Deputy Premier Rebecca Kadaga encouraged Jinja city leaders
and stakeholders to embrace the project, emphasizing its potential to create
jobs for the youth in various roles within the new transport system. Jinja City
Mayor Peter Kasolo expressed support for the project and highlighted the need
for effective implementation plans to prevent misinformation and ensure its
successful rollout to the wider population.
