Passengers who use public transport, will on March 16, 2024, start paying an increased amount in fares after the government scrapped subsidies in the sector.

The government, in October 2020, opted to subsidise one-third of the fare for passengers amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. With the subsidies scrapped, "commuters will notice an increase in fares,” Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore.

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For instance, if a person had to pay Rwf 3,000 from Kigali to Musanze, they only paid Rwf 2,000 while the government covered the remaining Rwf 1,000.

The government was subsidising public transport costs between 40 and 50 per cent which has now been scrapped. This means public transport fares will increase by the same percentage. The subsidies that used to be injected into public transport will be spent on other services delivered to citizens, Gasore noted.

"Government has also removed internet costs from public fares that used to be charged to commuters. The internet cost which was Rwf10 per journey was removed because public transport fares will increase following the removal of subsidies. Paying public transport fares depending on each kilometre a passenger uses is being tested and will be announced later,” he said.

Meanwhile, the government still owes public transport companies Rwf30 billion in arrears, officials told the media.

A glance at some new public transport fares

Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), on Tuesday, announced that some of the new prices include Rwf307 to be charged from Remera Bus Park to Downtown Bus Park via Sonatube. This is an increase from Rwf220 that was previously being charged on the same route, which is equivalent to 40 per cent.

The utility will charge Rwf741 as fare from Kabuga Bus Park to Nyabugogo Bus Park via Sonatube, Rwf307 from Remera Bus Park to Nyabugogo Bus Park via Sonatube, Rwf340 from Nyanza Bus Park to Downtown Bus Park, Rwf323 from Nyanza Bus Park to Kimironko Bus Park.

Passengers from Nyabugogo to Nyanza will pay Rwf422 while those from Nyanza Bus Park to Downtown will pay Rwf390 and Rwf364 from Nyanza to Kacyiru Bus stop, Rwf355 from Kimironko Park to Downtown Bus Park, and Rwf371 from Kacyiru Park to Downtown Bus Park.