A big number of commuters traveling to the upcountry to celebrate New Year with their families, were stranded in Nyabugogo bus terminal, on December 31 as their number exceeded the capacity of public transport companies dedicated to these routes.

The New Times conducted a survey on the companies’ offices that ticket passengers and found long queues as tickets were already exhausted for some routes around 15:30.

"I am going to Musanze district but as of 16:00 , passengers with RITCO going to Rubavu and Musanze districts can't get tickets because they are already exhausted. They are telling us that no available bus can transport us,” said Mutoni Anitha, going to Musanze district.

This paper found that only passengers going to Huye and Ngororero could get tickets to be able to travel with RITCO.

MoiseUfitumukiza going to Musanze district was on a long queue going to Musanze district with Virunga Express.

However, only tickets for passengers to depart from 18:00 were available.

"Those going to Rubavu can’t even get a ticket as we speak. I think companies should increase or hire more buses during festive seasons when people are going upcountry in masses,” he  said around 16:00.

Another passenger Jean Pierre Munyaziboneye said that he reached the terminal around 12:00 and had to be first vaccinated as required.

"I have to go to Ngororero but I am still on the queue. I tried Kivu Belt comoany and found a long queue and I am now trying RITCO,” he said.

A spot check by The New Times found that Volcano Express among others were also overwhelmed by passengers.

With the Volcano company, tickets for passengers to Huye district were only available for passengers to depart on January 1, 2022 while those who had tickets for December 31 going to Muhanga, Nyanza , Ruhango were still in long queues waiting.

Mood ahead of New Year in other businesses

This paper also made a tour around different busy areas such as markets and others.

In the city market in Nyarugenge district, Mutangana market, Nyabugogo modern market and Kimironko market, the busiest places were those selling meat, fruit and other food commodities.

"My sales since Thursday have increased from Rwf30, 000 to Rwf100, 000 per day. More people are buying lemons, oranges, tree tomatoes and others,” said Solange Uwamariya, a fruit vendor in Kimironko.

 The price for lemon was going for between Rwf2,500 and Rwf3,000 per Kilogramme, tree tomatoes at Rwf1,000, oranges at Rwf1,000, passion fruits at Rwf1,500 per Kilogramme.

 Mediatrice Mukeshimana, a meat shop owner, said her sales has quadrupled compared to normal days.

A Kilogramme of beef was being sold at Rwf3, 500 which is an increase compared to normal days, consumers were saying.

Mixed reactions

While motorcyclists were expecting to tap into an increase of passengers thanks to the mood ahead of New Year, some told this paper that rains that lasted some hours in the morning and afternoon reduced their income.

"I was expecting to have Rwf5, 000 by 12:00 I only got Rwf2, 000 due to rains that disrupted us,” said Alex Munyarubuga.

Another motor rider, Faustin Nyirimanzi said he was expecting Rwf7, 000 by 14:00 but only generated Rwf3, 500 by this hour.

"We hope we can benefit from the afternoon mood,” he said.