Traffic wardens deployed at Old Taxi Park
Wardens deployed under the Uganda Taxi Operators Federation to regulate travelers at the recently reopened Old Taxi Park, have said that there is low turn-up of passengers despite schools resuming.
The president reopened schools for all levels of education on January 10, 2022 after close to two years of being closed, as a means to stop the spread of covid 19. A total of 15 million learners affected are expected to return to schooling in a phased manner.
Taxi operators, under their federation, have deployed uniformed traffic wardens to monitor pricing, ensure security and guide learners as they return to school effective today.
The wardens, clad in light and orange green reflector jackets for easy identification, have been deployed while others, wearing white shirts inscribed with their stage numbers, are at the various stages within the Old Taxi Park.
“The wardens are in charge of security, they guide passengers to wash their hands and wear facemasks prior to entering the taxi park. They also guide taxis to their designated stages,” one of the wardens, Edward Zimbe, says.
“We are organised like you can see and are observing all the SOPs. Passengers must have masks and wash hands before proceeding to their designated stages, but the turn up is not what we expected. Schools have opened and we thought the park would be jammed with learners and parents, but let us wait and see during the week,” Moses Sentamu, another warden, explained.
Traffic wardens deployed at Old Taxi Park
“We know the situation is still hard for most parents ,people are poor ,they dont have money to take children to school now but we believe that if the status quo remains the same, within three weeks we shall be busy, “Hajji Adam ,a guide at the old taxi park said.
Despite the park being reopened, there is a moderate number of learners observed to be travelling on day one. By the time of filing this story, the Old Taxi Park had fewer passengers and less traffic than anticipated.
Compiled by Minah Nalule
