Transporters receive directive on time intervals with mixed feelings

Following a directive by government obliging public transport operators to work on schedule on their routes, several public transport operators have received the decision with mixed reactions.Among the guidelines outlined in the new transport policy that is pending cabinet approval, is an order that a commuter taxi operator shouldn’t spend more than 30 minutes at a point (stage).When The New Times visited some of the bus terminals and bus stops in Kigali, taxis were still operating as usual.Some operators said the idea would help remove malpractices in the industry while some questioned the implementation mechanism.“The idea is good, but it will not be easy to apply because, for instance, the way we operate during peak hours where we have many commuters waiting is not same we do the rest of the day where you it’s difficult to get passengers,” said Jean Pierre Habonimana, a driver on the Kimironko route.Another, Celestin Mbonabucya, a taxi driver on the Nyabugogo to Remera route said: “The idea would work well when there are many commuter vehicles or transport companies, but as long as we are still operating in this status where we still have a shortage, a 30 minute interval won’t work.”Some taxi drivers have welcomed the new policy saying it will streamline public transport operations, especially in their daily income.“Working on time intervals will make us get more profits because the manner in which we are operating is affecting our margins because you find five taxis fighting for passengers on one stage,” one taxi driver told The New Times at Kisementi bus stop.The State Minister in charge of Transport, Alex Nzahabwanimana, said the introduction of public transport operating on time intervals was another way of modernising the sector. “These new changes in public transport are aimed at removing informal practices in the sector. We are setting professional standards that will streamline our transport sector. We hope that as public transport progresses, there will be no use of taxi conductors because everything will be running smoothly once these changes are fully implemented,” he added.To attract more investments in the public transport sector, the government plans to lift or reduce taxes levied on public transport vehicles to curtail the shortage of public transport.According to the operators, high taxes were discouraging them from investing more in the sector.

National

Transporters receive directive on time intervals with mixed feelings