Commuters react to transport fare hike

Commuters in the city have expressed mixed reactions over the recent hiking of transport fare during rush hour. The hike which saw an increment of Rwf50 to Rwf230 from Rwf180 was a directive from Rwanda Utility Regulatory Agency (RURA), the institution charged with regulating public utilities. According to the regulatory body, the move was aimed at ensuring that investors in the transport business extend better services to city dwellers, especially during rush hour, by investing more in the industry. However, some commuters who spoke to The New Times, yesterday, said the move made public transport very inconveniencing. Jean Pierre Karangwa, a resident of Remera who operates a business in the city centre, said that he has to wait until 9 am to board a taxi to town. “This move has really affected my business, the Rwf230 is too much for me to afford every day, so I have to wait until 9 am, after rush hour, to pay Rwf180,” Karangwa said. “This hasn’t made things any better, we still have to line up in the evening waiting for coasters at the Rubangura bus terminal, so we are affected in two ways; queuing for taxis and paying high fares,” another commuter said. Agnes Uwizeye, a public servant, said that when transport fares are hiked, salaries should be also increased. “The problem is that some of us, who are employed, suffer a lot when transport is increased and salaries remain constant,” she said. The acting Director General of RURA, Regis Gatarayiha, said that RURA is compiling complaints from the public and the transport operators and will later look for solutions to improve public transport. Ends

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Commuters react to transport fare hike