Taxi operators who have not yet installed automated metres that calculate the fare to be paid by passengers face penalties after a deadline set by the regulator elapsed a month ago.The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (Rura) said it will soon mount a crackdown to ensure that all operators adhere to the directive, which officials say creates a win-win condition for both the operator and the passenger.Speaking to The New Times, yesterday, Deo Muvunyi, the director-general of road transport regulation at Rura, said among the penalties, taxis with no metres will lose their licence until they install the devices."Those operating without this devices are conducting business illegally,” said Muvunyi, adding that they would soon engage Traffic Police.He said there are about 700 registered taxis in the country and, according to the company that is in charge of installing the metres, more than 400 have been installed.The device is installed at Rwf200,000.Rura and the City of Kigali in September introduced automated taximetres that calculate passenger fares based on distance travelled.According to Rura, taxi fare is set to Rwf500 per kilometre, while those based at Kigali International Airport is at Rwf600 per kilometre."Nobody should feel cheated because the fare usually depends on the distance covered unless both the passenger and driver agreed on a fixed fare,” Muvunyi said.Muvunyi acknowledged that most passengers are unaware of the taximetres."We are going to embark on an awareness drive to ensure the public understands the benefits of the taximetres,” he said, calling on cab owners or operators to install the device to harmonise transport fares through fixed standard charges.Make sense of the numbersThe distance from downtown Kigali to Kacyiru is 8.4 kilometres, meaning a passenger will part with Rwf4,200; previously the cab drivers charged between Rwf4,000 and Rwf5,000.For a passenger travelling from Kigali International Airport to the city centre, using the taximetre it will cost Rwf6,870 for the 11.45-kilometre distance. But the move has sparked mixed feelings from the public."The taximetre is a good initiative, but it’s not friendly when we travel a short distance; before, everything depended on negotiations between the passenger and the driver,” Daniel Muhoza, a taxi driver, said.Muhoza, who operates in the city centre, said he has fitted the device and is looking forward to making use of it to improve his business.He said the taximetre has come as a solution to conflicts between the passengers and taxi drivers over fares.Patrick Hakizimana, another cab driver, said some passengers prefer a negotiated fare."We are glad most passengers have realised the benefits of the device. It’s even important to us when it comes to working with foreign visitors because there is no need of negotiating since they pay according to the distance travelled,” he said.Impact of the taximetre system

Gerald Mpyisi, who was once in the transport business, welcomed the initiative of obliging taxis to have automated metres. 

"I once owned a taxi company that used the taximetre system (Kigali Taxi Service) and the business was great and comfortable to people although I encountered many challenges that saw me diversify and venture into other things,” said Mpyisi, the chief executive of Creative Solutions, a consultancy firm in capacity building on customer care.

"Rwanda is not an isolated country and the use of taximetres is part of the global development process. Most of these developed countries use it.”Mpyisi said the initiative also contributes to tourism and investment growth in the country."Foreigners are used to metred taxis and when they come here and find things different, it becomes difficult for them to travel around the country because they may feel cheated,” he said.He said for the initiative to succeed, the regulator should embark on an awareness campaign to enable taxi drivers or owners and the general public to understand the benefits accruing from the use of metred taxis.