Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority (RURA) has announced the reintroduction of the smart metres for the commercial motorcycle operators, commonly known as taxi-motos, starting early next year.

"The smart meters will be reintroduced effectively January 7 next year and Yego Innovision Ltd is the only company with the license to supply the meters,” according to the regulator.

Adding that all Kigali-based riders will not be allowed to work without smart meters after the announced date.

The installation of smart metres, which automatically generate the fare after a passenger is dropped off, had been stopped amidst complaints by passengers and riders, who said the cost was prohibitive among other issues.

RURA was assured to slash the fare as smart meters will be reintroduced.

Commenting on the new prices Jean Pierre Mubiligi, the Coordinator of this project at RURA said that as they promised the prices have been dropped however, long-distance discouraged.

"For the first two kilometres, the prices was maintained at Rwf300 while the Rwf133 per kilometre for the rest of the journey has been dropped to Rwf107,” he said adding that "however, beyond 40 kilometres, the tariff changes from Rwf107 to Rwf187.”

Mubiligi further explained that the new tariff was set after considering all aspects of cost and they know that they are fair enough for both sides (passengers and riders).

He also confirmed the suspension of Pascal Technologies Ltd and AC Group Ltd from providing smart metres.

Mubiligi explained that the suspension of those companies who had been contracted was triggered by various complaints raised by the taxi moto operators and the passengers.

He added that they have been given enough time to fix those issues but they were not ready to comply with the time they were given and the regulator decided to suspend them and relaunch the project with one company.

"The re-introduction had earlier been postponed due to different issues from those companies among others and we revised them with all related institutions and decide to suspend their license but they still have three months to fix those issues and get the license again” he explained

Commenting on the way forward for the riders who had the gadget from suspended companies he said that they will give it back to them and get new ones from Yego Innovision at no cost and follow the usual procedures of paying upon contracts.

So far Pascal Group has installed 3,000 gadgets and 3700 for AC Group Ltd.

The installation and maintenance of metres will remain under Yego Innovision, with a target of 26,000 motorbikes operating in Kigali.

Later, they will roll out the exercise to other parts of the country.

According to RURA so far 9000 moto operators who have got their gadget from Yego are ready to work and call for the public to use it for trial before the announced date adding that the feedback is welcomed for better improvement.

Passengers, riders speak out

Both sides welcomed the initiative and believe that all the issues raised have been answered plus they agree with using meters again.

Jean de Dieu Ngiruwe, a motorbike rider based at Nyarugenge district said that he had been given a meter last year by yego innovation.

He added that he is happy and expects that all people involved in this have resolved each and every problem faced in all previous phases of the project.

Raisa Umutoni, who uses a motorbike on a regular basis, told The New Times that she is happy with the new tariff as well as the reintroduction of meters because bargaining was sometimes hard.

"The price was high but the new prices are affordable.” She said

Gahima Mwemere, another motorcyclist said that the initiative is good and people should embrace it because it is in line with fighting Covid-19 since it facilitates cashless payment while the world is fighting a new variant.

However, he said that he had the gadget from one of the suspended companies but hopes that the regulators provide a fair solution as well.