Mixed reactions as cashless bus fare payment is rolled out in Kigali

Last week, the City of Kigali rolled out an e-fare payment system for public transport users on selected city routes, like the Kanombe-Kigali route. The move is part of its Smart Kigali initiative and efforts geared at green development by cutting down on paper production which hurts the environment. The service that has been running for the past six or so months means that commuters along the route will have to acquire a smart card and load their money onto them before boarding public transport buses. The initiative is a joint partnership between AC Group, a Rwanda technology company specialising in smart transport solutions, government and city bus operators. RTCU, Royal Express, and Kigali Bus Service are the sole public transport providers hired by the city authority in 2013 under its Kigali transport system master plan launched in 2014. The launch of the new transport fare e-payment system puts Kigali in the league of some of the major cities of the world, and the move was hailed as a timely step in the right direction by experts and transport stakeholders. However, not everyone is celebrating; some people who talked to Business Times over the weekend expressed fears about safety of their jobs since the new system renders them almost redundant and an extra baggage on bus firms. Many are preparing for the worst, saying when the new system is fully rolled out, they will be fired. Bus conductors issue passengers tickets, collect the fare, and notify the driver whenever a passenger wants to disembark. Richard Mugabe, a conductor on the Kimironko-Kigali downtown route, says there should be away how they can be absorbed into the new arrangement to avoid sending hundreds of conductors into unemployment within months. He suggests bus companies should give them other roles but not to render them redundant. Mugabe says conductors’ pay depends on how much money they make per day. Pierre Kimenyi, another bus conductor, says the small jobs is all they depend on to make ends meet. “I earn Rwf2,000 daily…Though it is little, it is better than nothing. With the new system, the company will not need us since most commuters are literate and can be able to use the cards on their own,” he says. Kimenyi says the bus firms should retain them as smart cards “loaders”. For Prosper Nshimiyimana, a driver, he is optimistic that the system ease operations, but is concerned that conductors will lose their jobs at the end. We will downsize transport Transport operators have told Business Times, that some of them will be dismissed, but not all conductors are going to be affected. Anitha Mukamusoni, the RFTC excecutive secretary, says the bus co-operative could start using the new system within two months, adding this might affect some workers. “We are still negotiating with the service provider of the new system, but we are optimistic that it will be launched within two months. “When it is introduced, some educated conductors will be retained to teach commuters how to use smart cards while others will be released,” she says. Mukamusoni believes the initiatives will reduce delays of the buses at terminals due to the long queues. This will, in the end, translate into profit for the company, besides saving time for commuters. Charles Ngarambe, the executive director of Kigali Buses Services, says the firm has about 700,000 smart cards that conductors will sell to the passengers who are still using cash. “Each smart card goes for only Rwf1,000 and passengers can use the card as long as they wish. “We have 151 conductors, and most of them will be helping the public how to load and use the cards,” he says. He says some conductors, especially those with cases of indiscipline, will be laid off. “And this will affect only those working in buses… those working in omnibuses will not be affected by these changes as the system is only being installed in big buses,” says Ngarambe. business@newtimes.co.rw ****************************************** Your views: Donathile Uwishatse, a commuter on Kanombe-Kacyiru route Donathile Uwishatse I have been using the smart card since it was introduced and I find it much more convenient than the previous system. It has helped me save transport money and I do not queue as other commuters who still pay cash. However, the authorities should think about people from upcountry who come to Kigali occasionally or foreign visitors passing through the city to other countries. Must they also buy smart cards? Marceline Nyiransekuye, a resident of Kimironko I don’t know how the system works yet. If it is introduced it will help us save time as it will only require loading it once. However, I do not know whether the cards will be sold or are free. Robert Bazimya, KBS conductor on the Nyabugogo-Remera-Kanombe route Robert Bazimya The new system will affect us directly as conductors as some of us might lose jobs. Peter Kwibuka, a Royal bus driver Peter Kwibuka The new system will reduce fraud and cheating by workers. It will also make our work easier as it will not require issuing of tickets, which was consuming a lot of time. Compiled by Lydia Atieno. All photos: Lydia Atieno

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Mixed reactions as cashless bus fare payment is rolled out in Kigali