KIGALI - A local transport agency, Kigali Bus Services (KBS), has doubled its fleet after purchasing 20 new public transport buses, valued at over Rwf 1.7bn. With the additional fleet, the shortage of public transport, especially during rush hour, is expected to reduce.

This brings the total number of KBS vehicles operating in the city to 40. The company started operating last year with only 20 busses.

KBS Managing Director, Brendan Maguire, said that all the company vehicles will, effective next month, use Smart Cards for ticketing - the first electronic ticketing system of its kind to be used by public vehicles in East Africa.

According to Maguire, they will start with two types of Smart Cards, for students and regular commuters.

The event to unveil the vehicles was held at Kanombe Sector in Kicukiro District yesterday, and presided over by district Mayor, Paul Jules Ndamage.

Ndamage commended KBS management for helping people who have been facing transport problems, especially those in the remote parts of the city.

With the introduction of more buses, KBS has is now plying other routes, including Nyamirambo and Gatenga.
KBS Chairman, Charles Ngarambe, however, said that they are being affected by high taxes imposed on public transporters.

"We requested for subsidies and a waiver of taxes but unfortunately, no exemption was granted,   contrary to promises by Rwanda Development Board (RDB),” Ngarambe said, appealing to government to grant them some incentives.

He added that the company plans to purchase 20 other busses in February next year.

Two months ago ONATRACOM, a government owned transport agency and ATRACO a local association of commuter operators, ushered in six and 50 new buses respectively in a bid to reduce the transport shortage.

Ends