Individual public transporters could be kicked out of business if they do not register as companies, co-operatives or associations, according to the new policy on public transport.Francois Gatarayiha, the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (Rura) director-general, said unlike in the past where the authority has been licensing individual transporters, this will no longer be possible under the new policy. “Unless you are registered as a company, co-operative or an association, we won’t give you an operating licence,” Gatarayiha said in an interview with Business Times last week. “To make our public transport more efficient, competitive and transparent, it is important that all companies go through a tendering process before they are allowed to operate on given routes. We believe this will help organise the sector, thus decongesting the city and other areas.” Charles Ngarambe, the president of the Rwanda Public Transporters Association, said the new policy would help streamline operations in the sector and also benefit commuters.“We have been advocating for the policy to be implemented as it was adopted in 2012. This will not only decongest the city, but also encourage efficiency and professionalism in the sector,” Ngarambe said. Click here full story
