A new terminal for buses plying various upcountry routes will open next week, in a move meant to decongest the city centre, where they have originally been stationed.

City authorities have issued a directive requesting the operators to move to the new terminal located in Nyabugogo by Sunday, October 2.

Speaking during the unveiling of the new parking yard to the transport companies, Solange Mukasonga, Nyarugenge District Mayor, said the move aims at decongesting the city centre.

"It will also help passengers access all transport companies at the same location,” the mayor added

The new terminal will be operated and managed by the transport companies’ association (ATPR) in collaboration with the commuter transporters association, ATRACO which use part of the terminal.

ATPR brings together 19 bus transport companies with 620 buses in total.

Mukasonga noted that plans are also underway to install a public address system to alert passengers on departure times among other announcements.

Charles Ngarambe, the chairman of ATPR, noted that though the new move is in line with the City’s master plan, the new terminal is small compared to the number of buses.

"We are looking for a parking yard outside the terminal where vehicles scheduled to depart at a later time, will be stationed,” Ngarambe disclosed, adding that only vehicles set to depart will be allowed in the terminal.

Francois Nsengiyumva, the vice president of Atraco, said that his association is in the process of establishing other facilities to act as offices for other transport companies.

Nyabugogo bus terminal was renovated by Atraco at a cost of Rwf 500 million.Atraco, which uses about 60 percent of the terminal, owns approximately 1,000 vehicles.

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