The City of Kigali has introduced automated taxi metres that will show the fare to be charged users for any particular trip. As regulated by Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority, the ordinary taxicab fare was set to Rwf500 per kilometre, while the airport taxi was set to Rwf600 per kilometre. Fidèle Ndayisaba, the City of Kigali mayor, said the automated taxi metres will protect both drivers and passengers from fare-based conflicts. “The passengers will be able to pay the equivalent to the distance covered and the taxicab owner will be able to know how much his/her cab made in a day,” he said during the launch of ‘Smart Kigali’ on Friday. The mayor added that with this, the cab owners would also be able to provide accurate turnover figures, which the government can base on when assessing taxes. “This new system is commendable. It will professionalise the industry,” said Grace Gasana, a frequent cab user.
