Kigali City launches new transport strategy
Anitha Mukamusoni, the executive secretary of RFTC (photo Bruno Birakwate)
Kigali city launched a new transport strategy which will see operating busses assigned to specific routes, making public transport more efficient.
The decision was taken after consultations between KCC, the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), traffic police and public transport companies.
“We have assessed the overcrowded directions from the city center so that we can have a well-organized transportation system,” said Fidel Ndayisaba, the mayor of Kigali city.
According to Emmanuel Katabarwa, head of transport regulation department at RURA, Kigali city has been divided into 4 main trajectories and each one has a specific common transport company assigned to carry passengers.
Kigali Bus Service (KBS) was given the city center-Rwandex-Remera-Samuduha (Kabeza) route, while Royal Express will ply the road city center-Rwandex-Sonatube-Kicukiro center. Rwanda Federation of Transport Cooperatives (RFTC, formerly ATRACO) will take two lines: city center-Rwandex-Remera-Kanombe and city center-Kimihurura-Chez Lando-Kimironko –Zindiro.
Each line has got a person in charge who will answer to any issue encountered on the road. The traffic police commander Celestin Twahirwa assured that the police too will be also overseeing the process. “We will make sure they respect the agreement and that passengers are respected,” he said.
Finding it a decision which will test everyone’s capacity to deliver, Anitha Mukamusoni, the executive secretary of RFTC argued it is time for transport companies to show their ability to compete. “We will even have to approach our clients to get their suggestions on how we can upgrade our services,” she explained.
RURA stressed that transport fees will remain unchanged and reminded the companies that there is no limit for working hours – as long as there are still passengers on the road, transport should be provided.
Concerning the vexed issue of traffic jams, Kigali mayor Fidel Ndayisaba remarked that it is not yet a very big problem. “One doesn’t get stuck at the same place for more than 30 minutes, that’s bearable,” he argued, adding that nevertheless measures are being taken to reduce congestion. Apart from enlarging the main roads, they are planning to bring in more large buses and to persuade more people to use public transport, even those who have their own car.
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Posted by Jean-Christophe Nsanzimana
on Jul 6 2012. Filed under Daily News, National.
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Dear Fidel Ndayisaba, Mayor of Kigali City
Kigali City is more and more growing bigger every day. The public transport needs to be adjusted regularly to meet the needs of the population of Kigali.
In the article above, we are talking about 4 trajectories. These trajectories are not enough given the actual size of Kigali city. For example, one of the trajectories is City centre-Kimihurura-Chez Lando-Kimirunko-Zindiro. How do you intend to serve people living Kibagabaga or near Kigali Parents School or deep-down Kimironko?
It appears that public transport is organized around good roads, not in terms of needs of the population. I would urge to create more trajectories allowing for instance students to reach Mudende University.
To be more clearer, we need more roads in Kigali even if it means more taxes. Can you imagine all these nice houses in Kimihurura without decent roads?
No one can request you to solve all these issues in one day, but show at least you care about Kigali residents by find gradually solutions to their problems.
Does the assignment of Kigali transport companies to the four trajectories consider the number of the buses possessed by each transport company? Are those companies have the same standards. I doubt if Atraco can compete with KBS in terms of service quality and special rates for tickets for 1 day, 15 days and one month.
Please be innovative, creative and we support you.
John Bugingo
Dear Mayor,
I am always shocked by the impressive number of buses in Kimironko and Remera bus stations or the buses queuing in city centre whereas people are walking in sun everywhere or are using Moto bike. That demonstrates the lack of organization of public transport. It is time for Kigali authorities to concentrate on this issue affecting most of people living in Kigali very far from the good road in tarmac. The transport by Moto bike or bike will continue as long as there is a deficit in public transport. You cannot believe how it is unsafe to move around by Moto bike.
John Bugingo