The taxi operators and owners association, Atraco has promised to take tough action against drivers and touts who have failed to adhere to the new dressing code.

According to the organisation, all those who have failed to respect the directive will have to pay a fine of Rwf10,000 after a deadline of 10 days expired on January 15.
Atraco uniforms cost Rwf 5,500.

Speaking to The New Times, the vice chairman of ATRACO, Hajji Ngezi Isa, said yesterday that those who have failed to abide by the organization’s regulation will face the consequences.

"If we find out that there are some who deliberately refused to buy the uniforms, we will forward the matter to RURA and the police,” Ngezi warned.

He added that so far 2000 of the over 5000 taxi drivers and their assistants have bought the uniforms.

However, some of those affected said that money charged on the uniform is so high that they cannot afford it.
"This amount is high for us.

They need to be patient and if they insist, we are ready to work from outside the park,” said one of the conductors who preferred not to be named.

John Habimana, a driver said the association should have taken the responsibility of buying the uniform for them.
"Atraco should have made the uniform for us after all it’s their responsibility,” said Hibimana

According to Atraco, the move is aimed at making its members easily identified by commuters and police for security purposes.

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