As the City of Kigali prepares for changes in the public transport system set to be implemented in November 2025, a citizen shared a suggestion on Oswald Mutuye Yezu’s X account, asking for advocacy to help introduce buses that transport passengers directly without stopping at designated bus terminals, in order to ease travel for those moving between different parts of the city.
A resident of Miduha, who uses buses from Mageragere, explained that his commute to work in Remera takes a lot of time and money due to the lack of direct buses and the need to switch between multiple buses that must first go through various terminals. He said it takes him about two hours and 30 minutes to reach work, requiring him to take three buses via Nyamirambo and Downtown.
This resident is requesting that in the upcoming reforms, a new route be introduced connecting Miduha with other areas, and that cross-route buses be implemented that don’t necessarily pass through terminals or make frequent stops, in order to reduce travel time and make commuting easier.
This request aligns with Rwanda’s new public transport vision implemented through the newly established ECOFLEET agency, responsible for managing public transportation operations in Kigali. The agency announced that starting from November 2025, buses will no longer have to wait until they are full before departing, and drivers will be paid based on adherence to time schedules rather than the number of passengers transported.
The Director General of ECOFLEET stated that no bus will be allowed to delay passengers for more than 10 minutes during morning and evening rush hours, and not more than 20 minutes during the day. He also added that more payment options will be introduced, including digital systems like Mobile Money, bank cards, and other technologies that will ease payments for passengers and reduce losses caused by human error.
This initiative also supports the country’s goal to reduce air pollution from vehicles, promoting public transportation as part of environmental conservation efforts.
