Frank Tayali, the Minister of Transport and Logistics, has revealed plans to enact a Statutory Instrument (SI) next year aimed at limiting the branding of vehicles used by online hailing taxi services. Speaking on the Let the People Talk program on Friday, Mr. Tayali explained that the forthcoming SI will prohibit online hailing taxis, including popular services like Yango and Ulendo, from displaying external branding or advertisements on their vehicles.
According to Mr. Tayali, the statutory instrument will outline provisions that mandate compliance, and failure to adhere to this directive will result in penalties for violating taxi operators. This move signifies a potential shift in the appearance of online hailing taxis, as they may no longer be allowed to prominently display branding on their vehicles.
Furthermore, Mr. Tayali indicated that the government is considering lifting the ban on night travel for public service vehicles. This decision is influenced by a reduction in accidents involving public service vehicles. The night travel ban, implemented in 2016, was in response to a higher rate of road accidents during nighttime, accounting for 55% of accidents compared to 45% during the day.
The potential relaxation of the night travel ban reflects a cautious approach by the government, considering the improved safety conditions and a decline in accidents involving public service vehicles.
