Kampala, Uganda’s First Public Bus Network Will Be Operated Using Optibus
- Operated by Tondeka Metro Company (TMC), the 3,000 vehicle network is part of a larger initiative backed by the World Bank and Ugandan government to improve transportation for Kampala’s 1.5 million residents.
Optibus, the cloud-native solution for mass transport planning, scheduling, rostering, and operations, and SCINTL, an Ugandan IT company, have been selected by the Tondeka Metro Company (TMC) to partner on creating the mass transportation operations solution for the first public bus network in Kampala, Uganda. The bus network has support from the World Bank and is driven by a presidential initiative to boost economic growth and improve public transportation infrastructure.
In Uganda’s capital and largest city of Kampala, over 1.5 million residents travel primarily using informal matatus (15-seat mini-buses) and boda-bodas (motorbike taxis) that lack set routes, schedules, or standardized fares. Pick-up and drop-off points shift sporadically, riders face long, unpredictable wait times in sweltering heat or heavy rain, and fares fluctuate as much as 100%.
To bring reliable, modern public transportation to Kampala, TMC will develop and operate the city’s first formal bus fleet. Starting with 1,030 buses, the fleet is set to grow to 3,000 buses, making it one of the largest fleets in Africa. The fleet will be 100% electric by 2032. The technology solution for operating and optimizing the fleet combines Optibus’ software platform with SCINTL’s IT infrastructure. TMC will use Optibus’ software platform to plan all routes and timetables in the bus network from scratch, optimize resource allocation and electric buses, and manage daily operations in real-time.
Supported by five government ministries, including Uganda’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Kampala, and local government authorities, the project will significantly decongest Kampala of vehicle traffic, improve air quality, and reduce safety incidents. Through TMC’s partnership with Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) and Rentco Africa, the entire project will be delivered locally, including bus manufacturing, creating more than 12,000 jobs in the next three years.
Amos Haggiag, CEO and co-founder of Optibus, said:We are thrilled to join this pioneering partnership to build Africa’s most technologically advanced bus fleet and bus operations solution. Millions of Ugandans will finally have access to the safe, reliable public transportation they deserve, powered by the market’s most sophisticated software solution. Optibus is proud to support Kampala in becoming a model city for transportation infrastructure.
Kevin Short, Head of Technology at TMC, said:This is a great opportunity for Uganda and Africa at large, and a gamechanger in the transportation industry.
Cephas T. Bushuyu, Managing Director for SCINTL, said:SCINTL will provide vital local support and the requisite infrastructure, together with Optibus, to provide a one-stop solution that encompasses transport optimization for large transport fleets. This will provide travelers with efficient services and revolutionize fleet management in conjunction with Optibus’ platform.
This article was originally published by Optibus.
