Supposed crazy returns in transport businesses in Uganda, Botwana and Angola

pop_gun

Several hard working colleagues of mine are desperately trying to save money to buy a coach or HGV unit to send to Uganda, Botswana or Angola.

Back of the envelope calculations on what returns could be made, had my greedometer in overdrive. Colleague A: believes £480 (after overheads, running cost and tax!) a day could be earned using a 60 seater coach travelling 30 miles (one way) between major cities. 4 trips a day.

Has anyone try their hand at this?

bris

Not got a clue what you are talking about, care to expand?

phill99

I've no doubt we'll all be rushing to invest in this one. Once you have
paid off all the government officials along the way you'll with about 65p.

steve1980

OP are you on drugs?

paddyrg

You're really asking how many of us have tried running a bus company in Angola? Probably not that many.

All I can say is if there really is £480 a day in profit, the market will fill up pretty quickly and those profits go down to something more suited to a developing nation.

bengalknights

This doesnt include other costs such as bribes etc you would probably be left with £50 or even the vehicle being torced or nicked

PlutoinCapricorn

What makes you think that this is not already being done by the locals? Have you looked at Lonely Planet?

Where do your figures come from?

pop_gun

bengalknights wrote: »

This doesnt include other costs such as bribes etc you would probably be left with £50 or even the vehicle being torced or nicked

Colleague A says 10% of profits go to government officials in kick backs.

International insurance would cover the vehicle being torched or nicked.

Start up cost are prohibitive. For instance 70% of the cost of the vehicle is charged as an excise duty in Uganda. Almost no one in the country could afford the cost of buying the vehicle, let alone running it.

The price is based on Ugandan shillings and the equivalent exchange rate in pound sterling, per person.

greyteam1959

Ok I'm in...................

dshart

I would like to see how these supposed profits have been calculated?

For the example you give of a 60 seater coach making 4 runs per day the profit of £480/day alone would require the fare to be £1 per person and the coach to be full on the outward and return journey. That is not counting any other costs.

In the countries you mention the average wage is less than that.

If someone has suggested such a scheme to you then it is most likely a scam, stay well clear unless you like throwing money away. I have been to some of these countries and I can tell you the locals pay pennies to travel in very poor conditions and the cost of travel is still expensive when compared to local wages.

pooch

pop_gun wrote: »

Several hard working colleagues of mine are desperately trying to save money to buy a coach or HGV unit to send to Uganda, Botswana or Angola.

Back of the envelope calculations on what returns could be made, had my greedometer in overdrive. Colleague A: believes £480 (after overheads, running cost and tax!) a day could be earned using a 60 seater coach travelling 30 miles (one way) between major cities. 4 trips a day.

Has anyone try their hand at this?

Sorry, I've not tried this myself, but very interested to hear from those who have.

Please do keep us updated with how your colleagues get on.