Exploring the prevalence of inequalities in public transport services in Kampala City

Abstract

The growth and expansion of Kampala city has amplified the demand for public transport to meet mobility needs. Consequently, this has created public transport inequality with low-income families usually bearing a high level of travel burdens. The study focused on three main objectives: 1) characterization of social groups and transport inequality in commuter taxi mode of transport, 2) examining the manifestations of inequality and 3) assessing interventions to reduce inequality in public transport. This study adopted a cross sectional research design which could accommodate both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Key informant interviews were conducted with major players in public transport and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) were applied to analyze Kampala’s spatial inequality but also to randomly select sampling points for the study. The study identified four most vulnerable social groups which included; women, youth, PWDs, and older persons. Spatially based inequality in Kampala’s public transport was characteristic of Horizontal inequality that cuts across all social groups. Public transport inequality parameters of affordability, convenience, and safety revealed that hardship in finding commuter taxis during peak hours, hiking fares, thugs, harassment, poor hygiene, and poor physical comfort were among the key manifestations of inequality in public transport. Public transport inequality is experienced differently across social groups. While youths were mostly affected by hiking prices amidst budgetary constraints, Safety was women’s most important concern, older persons and PWDs, experienced convenience-related inequality. Overall, the affordability index of transport in Kampala was 42.9%, which is more than double the recommended percentage rendering the initiatives by both state and non-state actors insufficient, ineffective, and at times useless. The study hence recommends regularization of commuter taxi fares by responsible authorities and a user perspective-oriented integrated transport system combining different transport modes that would enhance ease and efficiency for users thus reducing spatial inequalities