The Management of Kigali Bus Services (KBS) has laid off 40 employees -  20 drivers and 20 touts - as it embarks on a massive  restructuring process, following a slump in profits.

Speaking to The New Times yesterday, Alex Mugisha, the KBS Operations Manager, confirmed the development.
"The decision is part of our restructuring process and tour business is currently slow, hence the lay off,” he said.
Mugisha added that those affected would be rehired should business boom again.

The company is also in the process of purchasing new buses, and according to Mugisha, once they arrive and there is a need for more operators, the first to be considered are the staff who have been laid off.

In the restructuring process, the working hours for their bus operations have been increased from 7 to 11.
Mugisha confirmed that those laid-off had already been paid their salaries.

"We have been cleared in terms of salaries and at the moment there is no any money which the company owes us and we are looking forward to continue having a good cooperation with them,” Mussa Ntakirutimana, one of the affected staff said.

KBS currently has 46 vehicles, including 41 coasters and 5 coaches and was employing 160 staff.

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