Long queues formed at offices of the different transport agencies at Nyabugogo Park, yesterday, as travelers heading to different parts of the country for New Year’s celebrations struggled to get tickets.

Most buses scheduled to leave in morning hours were fully booked by 10am.

At Virunga transport agency for example, it was difficult to get a ticket for buses heading to Musanze and Rubavu districts until 12:30pm while those scheduled to leaves at 5pm were also fully booked by late afternoon, sending several travelers into panic.

"I’m heading to Nyanza but it is difficult to get a ticket because of long queues. Due to a surge in travelers some people might travel very late or be left stranded …but we hope transporters prepared for this,” said Emerithe Umuhoza, a traveler.

There were longer queues at International agency, for buses plying northern route to Gakenke district and at Horizon for buses plying southern routes.

Some passengers openly expressed their frustrations.

"I have not seen my wife and children for the last four months. I have been in Kigali selling airtime and offering mobile money services. But it’s time to enjoy the fruits of my year’s work with my family while setting New Year targets,” said Elias Kagambage, who was headed for Nyanza District.

"The past year has been fruitful to me as I bought two pieces of farm land for rice growing. I harvest about 500 kilogrammes from each piece of land per season. I have to sit down with my wife and plan ahead. As we approach second agriculture season, more efforts are needed with rice growing as it requires much effort,” another passenger said.

Food and beverages business boom 

Meanwhile, it was booming business for those selling drinks, snacks and food at the park.

"It is still in the morning but I have sold more than the usual quantities I sell by this time. At the end of the day we have to submit our sales but during festive days, profit margins more than double because of the surge in travelers to provinces,” said Seth Sebanani a young boy selling juice.

He moved from one vehicle to another in search for customers.

Mateus businesses hows mixed trend

There were however, mixed fortunes for traders at Quartier Mateus amid looming eviction.

While traders of liquor especially wine and garments complained of few buyers, those selling foodstuffs cashed in.

Shops located along new building known as ‘kwa Makuza’ and the car free zone downtown to City market and the route to the new bus terminal said business was slow.

"Though the deadline [for eviction] was extended we have not realised much benefits as cars were prohibited to park this side. It affected our businesses. For fear of Police fines for parking in prohibited areas buyers shop elsewhere. Sales have not been much this festive season even when many people are said to like beer,” said Deogratius Uwobahorana, an elderly man operating a liquor shop.

Quartier Mateus traders said some of their colleagues had relocated ahead of February eviction deadline after their landlord demanded rent for three months of September, October and November, against City of Kigali promise to exempt them.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw