Oligopoly not good for public transport

Editor, what Ms Akintore outlined exemplifies the already known worldwide phenomenon of streets being smarter than offices.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Editor,

Reference is made to Alline Akintore’s article, "Hang up your car keys and take the bus (part II)” published in The New Times issue of December 17.

What Ms Akintore outlined exemplifies the already known worldwide phenomenon of streets being smarter than offices.

I have a different view from Ms Akintore’s.

Kigali’s transportation system was awarded to three individuals only – that’s oligopoly and that marked the death of competition in public transport in Rwanda.

City authorities should’ve raised the bar higher, then demand everyone interested to meet the set standards. Without competition, there’s no innovation or creativity.

Frankly speaking, many sophisticated, pragmatic elements capable of bringing about the change the author was talking about have been forced out.

I hope that concerned authorities will one day change this policy.

AbdulRahman Ntaganda, Kigali