The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) has urged taxi-moto operators in Huye and Gisagara districts to end a longstanding feud. RURA intervened following reports that taxi-moto operators from Gisagara were not allowed to park or pick passengers from Huye and vice versa. The wrangles came to light on Tuesday during a consultative meeting between the motorcyclists and RURA officials in Huye District. The meeting had been convened to find ways to improve the taxi-moto business in the two districts. “Motorcycle riders from either district are forced to leave immediately after dropping off their clients. But the problem is that the passenger might want to return with the same rider after finishing their business, which requires the motorcyclist to stay there for some time,” said Jean Pierre Nshimiyimana, a member of CODUAGI, a taxi-moto cooperative in Gisagara. “There are also riders who ferry people working for a given institution and they are paid monthly. So, if the riders have not honoured their part of the bargain, they get difficulties being paid.” Some taxi-moto operators said the wrangles were being fueled by the leaders of their cooperatives because there was no bad blood among individual riders. Innocent Banguwiha, the president of CODUAGI, acknowledged that the wrangle had persisted for some time, saying it generated from Huye. “Whenever you take a passenger to Huye in Ngoma, for instance, you will be arrested once you transport a passenger on your way back. While we do not park at their (Huye) stage, our (Gisagara) parking lot is open to them,” Banguwiha said. But Jean Christophe Habimana, the president of CIM, a taxi-moto cooperative in Huye District, said the wrangle emanates from high parking fees in Huye. “Taxi-moto operators from Gisagara want to evade taxes. A motorcycle in Huye town pays Rwf1,500 in taxes per month, but Gisagara’s taxes are relatively low. We should work in harmony,” he said. Scovia Kabatesi, a RURA official in the transport department unit, explained that motorcyclist cooperatives are given road licences to carry passengers based on the zones they are allowed to operate from. “If a given cooperative has got authorisation to work in given sectors, RURA provides it with the licence to operate from there. But you have no rights to enter others’ jurisdiction or operate in the sectors and districts which you have no permission to operate from,” she said. She called on motorcyclists to ensure fair competition in their business. “You do not have to use your influence or force to operate; rather the service you offer to passengers determines whether or not you succeed in your work,” she said. She urged the operators in Huye and Gisagara to settle their disputes amicably. Kabatesi said the directive requiring particular taxi-moto cooperatives to operate in a given sector was intended to help organise motorcycle transport. CIM secretary Vincent Imanirakora said forming a joint trade union for the motorcyclist cooperatives in Huye and Gisagara would address the issue. Kabatesi explained that three districts that come together can form their own union, citing the cooperatives in the Eastern Province. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
