Upcountry buses to be restricted to city outskirts

A security meeting in Kigali City has issued a directive that all public transport vehicles commuting to the countryside from Kigali to relocate their offices and parking yards from the city centre and operate from the outskirts. The move that goes into effect at the end of May, aims at decongesting traffic in the city centre. Bruno Rangira, the Director of Communication and Media in KCC, said in an interview that passengers to and from Bugesera District will use the Kicukiro terminal while those from other parts of the Eastern Province will stop at Remera Taxi Park. Western, Northern and Southern provinces will use the Nyabugogo bus terminal. “Owners of travel agencies, with offices and parking yards in the city centre, have only this month to move to their respective allocated destinations as approved by the security meeting,” said Rangira. He explained that Nyarugenge, Kicukiro and Gasabo districts were “authorised to facilitate travel agencies to acquire offices and parking yards.” Charles Ngarambe, the president of the Association of Public Transporters, said that they are currently negotiating with districts to relocate within the given timeframe. “We have so far agreed with ATRACO to manage part of Nyabugogo bus terminal.” Ngarambe said, adding; “but we have to build some offices.” Ngarambe is also the proprietor of Kigali Bus Service.The commuters’ association currently has 22 registered transport companies, with 2,020 vehicles. By mid last year, both private and public vehicles in the city had risen to 60,000 from 22,000 since 1994, increasing vehicle volumes and causing traffic congestion. Ends

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Upcountry buses to be restricted to city outskirts