Travellers from the Northern Province district of Gicumbi now have a better and organised place from where they can wait for taxis following the inauguration of a new Rwf923 million taxi park on Friday. The project by the Rwanda Federation of Transport Cooperatives (RFTC) was co-funded by Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD). The facility will accommodate vehicles mainly plying the Gicumbi-Kigali, and Gicumbi Nyagatare routes, according to RFTC officials.

According to Col (rtd). Dodo Twahirwa, the president of RFTC, the new taxi park will create employment opportunities for the community and improve the co-operatives revenue.

"We appreciate BRD’s support that made this project possible…The facility will help streamline the transport business in this area. Passengers now have where to rest as they wait for buses, and transporters have a modern facility that will ensure vehicle safety,” Twahirwa said at the launch of the facility.

He said RFTC plans to construct another new taxi park in Muhanga in Southern Province. Different Express, Stella Express, Volcano Express, among others, are some of the transport firms that operate from Gicumbi Taxi Park.

Speaking at the launch of new taxi park, Jules Muhizi, the Gicumbi vice-mayor for economic affairs, said the facility will help address some the challenges stakeholders were facing previously.

Alex Kanyankole, the BRD chief executive officer, said the bank is committed to supporting investors with projects that improve people’s lives and service delivery, particularly infrastructure development.

Kanyankole said BRD extended a Rwf600 million loan facility to RFTC for the Gicumbi Taxi Park project. He added that the bank plans to inject over Rwf350 billion in agriculture, transport, and export-oriented projects to help spur the country’s growth.

Claire Akimana, a regular commuter on the Kigali-Gichumbi route, said passengers will now have where to take shelter in case it rains. Aimable Gasigwa, an RFTC driver, said they have been parking their buses along the streets, which exposed residents and commuters to accidents, besides being a security risk.