KBS invests Rwf900m in public transport

Kigali Bus Service (KBS), a local public transport company, has imported another ten city buses at the cost of Rwf 900 million.The hi-tech buses are a product of Yotung, one of the leading Chinese bus manufacturing companies, according to KBS managers. Among other features, the 50 and 40 seat buses have air conditioning and a seat belt for each passenger, unlike the ones that were imported last year, which many passengers claim lack air conditioning.Charles Ngarambe, KBS Managing Director, told The New Times yesterday that the buses will be employed in the company`s new initiative to reduce public transport shortage.“We are now starting a hiring service which we have not been having and this is to address the problem that have been faced by schools that need to go for tours, tourists and companies or organizations that may need to have study tours,” Ngarambe said.The new buses bring the company’s fleet to 65. Currently, only 15 buses belonging to the company are operating on Kigali City routes, after the company reduced its city operations in June. 30 minibuses and 40 buses were transferred to operate on upcountry routes.The decision created a big gap in the city public transport and prompted Rwanda Utility Regulatory Agency (RURA) to meet the management and seek solutions.Although there was no official communication as to why the company made the decision, anonymous sources told The New Times that the company was operating at a loss due to parking charges. Asked if the company has plans to reverse its decision and start operating more buses in the city like before, Ngarambe said he was ready to operate in the city more than even upcountry.“We are only waiting for the new public transport policy to give us the proper guidelines through which we can operate,” Ngarambe said.

National

KBS invests Rwf900m in public transport