Rwanda has introduced a new distance-based fare system for public buses, starting with the Kabuga-Downtown and Nyabugogo-Kabuga routes.
The system, which began on December 4, allows commuters to pay only for the distance they travel. Passengers tap their transport card when boarding and tap out at their destination to calculate the exact fare. The system will be rolled out across all Kigali routes by year-end, with commuters like Clementine Uwitonze, a security guard, already seeing savings on daily transport costs.
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The pay-per-distance system is a welcome relief for low-income earners. Uwitonze highlighted that saving Rwf416 daily amounts to over Rwf12,000 monthly—significant for someone earning a modest salary. Business commuters, like Anasthasie Uwinshuti, praised the system for its fairness, noting they would no longer need to pay for the full route when traveling shorter distances. The new mechanism is designed to increase affordability and efficiency, aligning transport costs with actual usage.
Despite positive feedback, the pilot phase has not been without issues. Some passengers have faced difficulties retrieving unused balances when tapping out, with RURA acknowledging the glitches. Officials assured commuters that these challenges are being addressed and encouraged individuals to use their own cards to avoid complications. The system also introduces a base fee of Rwf182 for cancelled trips, discouraging unnecessary card taps and ensuring fairness for all users.
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The innovative system marks a shift in Kigali’s public transport sector, promoting convenience and cost efficiency. Commuters can now better manage their travel expenses, fostering a more equitable transport system.
As RURA continues refining the system, it is poised to transform public transport in Rwanda, balancing affordability with improved service delivery.
