A long time ago before most of you were born, what is now called the Old Taxi Park was the only taxi park, and it was called just that: The Taxi Park. When the number of taxis in the city increased, another taxi park was constructed, becoming “The New Taxi Park”, making the first one the “Old Taxi Park”. You will thank us later for the history lesson.
Ever since the Old Taxi Park became “The Old Taxi Park”, it has always looked nothing but that: Old. This is about to change in a time not longer than four months, according to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
Earlier today, KCCA announced plans of giving the Old Taxi Park a facelift. And the contractors, Stirling Civil Engineering Ltd and Kiru General Services Ltd are set to begin work tomorrow May 9, 2020, going on for three months.
Here is what the taxi park is going to have:
- Underground drainage lines.
- New foundation layers for the carpet and surfacing of the constructed layers with asphalt concrete (tarmac).
- The new carpet will have markings to delineate areas for parking and for taxi and pedestrian movements.
- The boundaries of the park will be retained properly to prevent mud from washing onto the carpet as has been the case.
- There will be lighting and some waiting sheds for passengers.
- The park will have designated entry and exit points for both vehicles and pedestrians.
- The park will have access control for vehicles to avoid queuing on the surrounding roads and congestion within the park.
- The park will also have sanitary facilities such as toilets, an administration block and a Police Post.
KCCA says that in case the lockdown ends before the works are completed, alternative parking areas for the taxis will be provided as was with the construction of the New Taxi Park.
With this facelift, we are wondering if we will still be have to call it the “Old Taxi Park.”