‘Taxi-Motos’ now protest over costs of head covers

Motor cyclist taxi operators are up in arms over the cost of the head covers that they are required to provide to their passengerss, saying it was high. They want its cost reduced.When The New Times reached some of the taxi moto operators in Kigali city, just two out of 20 provided the head covers to their passengers, yet the deadline for the implementation of the directive was Thursday last week.They gave many reasons for the failure to implement the directive, with some claiming that the added cost was eating into their daily incomes and should be cut from Rwf50 to Rwf40.The decision to introduce the covers was agreed upon by the Kigali City authorities and Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency as well as representatives of motor cyclists associations. “I only make Rwf6, 000 a day and if I spend Rwf2, 300 on the covers, this will create a problem between me and the owner of the bike,” said Fidele Nduwayo who operates at the Kimironko taxi motor stage.Another motorcyclist called for discussions between the taxi-moto associations to agree on an affordable amount for the covers.“The authorities should have first consulted us before fixing the amount. Personally, Rwf30 would be fine,” said a motor cyclist who operates in Kimihurura Sector. Others said that the cloth covers are not yet in the market hence the delay in providing them to their passengers.This argument was however, dismissed by Deo Muhirwa, who is in-charge of security at FERWACOTEMO, the union of taxi motorcyclists. He said the cost was agreed upon by the various associations of taxi motos.“The only problem is that the materials have not yet reached all associations but by Monday, all will have received them and the members of these associations are expected to comply with the directive,” Muhirwa said.He said whoever fails to abide by the directive will be penalised by the union and the law which seeks to protect passengers from contracting skin diseasesa result ing from sharing helmets.When contacted, KCC spokesman, Bruno Rangira, said KCC authorities plan to check on the implementation of the decision.“We are going to see how it is being done on Monday and then we see a way we can deal with the matter,” he said.

National

‘Taxi-Motos’ now protest over costs of head covers