A new public transport system is set to begin operating in the City of Kigali, one that will ensure buses no longer spend long periods waiting for passengers. Under this system, no bus will be allowed to stay more than ten minutes at any bus terminal or more than three minutes at a bus stop.
This comes after the Cabinet approved a new model for public transportation in Kigali, which will be implemented through the government-owned company, Ecofleet Solutions.
The new system, which will begin on December 2, 2025, will launch with a single route from Downtown to Prince House, and will gradually expand to all other routes within Kigali.
The State Minister in charge of Infrastructure, Eng. Uwihanganye Jean de Dieu, explained that under this new model, public buses will operate based on a strict timetable.
He said: “Buses will follow a fixed schedule and will not delay because they are not allowed to exceed 10 minutes at terminals and 3 minutes at roadside bus stops.”
In this system, public buses will also be prioritized on the roads. They will be given the right of way, and special bus-only signs have already been installed along the first route.
He added: “Buses will be given priority over other vehicles in a way that encourages the public to prefer buses over private cars or other means of transport.”
The minister also emphasized that drivers will no longer wait for buses to fill up, nor overload passengers in the pursuit of profit. Instead, operators will be paid based on service quality.
He said: “Profit and loss will no longer be the driver’s concern. What matters is keeping time, maintaining a clean bus, treating passengers well, and respecting the guidelines. Those who comply will be paid more, while those who fail will be penalized.”
Rukera Obed, the head of Ecofleet Solutions, noted that concerns previously raised by transport operators have been addressed.
He explained: “Issues they used to raise, such as fuel costs and other operational burdens, will now be handled and even subsidized.”
The company will start operations with 190 of its own buses, plus 110 additional buses leased from existing transport companies, ensuring that the city has an adequate number of vehicles for public transport.
RADIOTV10
