Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) has outlined a number of measures aimed at reducing traffic accidents across the country, with a focus on improving public transport services and regulating taxi-moto operations. Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, October 8, RURA’s Director General, Evariste Rugigana, explained that the authority has strengthened oversight mechanisms to improve road safety and address issues that previously contributed to accidents. ALSO READ: Careless driving responsible for 50% of Rwanda's traffic accidents “More than Rwf 600 million is collected from taxi-moto operators annually, each contributing Rwf 23,000. We top up with Rwf200 million to support their operations,” Rugigana said. ALSO READ: Six ways govt plans to mitigate road accidents Currently, taxi-moto riders remain under cooperatives, five in the City of Kigali and one in each district outside the capital, mainly for coordination purposes, but the cooperatives no longer have direct access to the operators’ funds, RURA explained. Phasing out old vehicles Rugigana said that old vehicles, which pose higher safety risks, are no longer being licensed. “Renewal of licences for vehicles that are too old has been stopped,” he said. He added that with taxi-motos accounting for over 80 percent of road accidents, the government is promoting improved bus services as an alternative means of public transport to reduce the number of motorcycles on the roads. ALSO READ: Over 10 perish in Rulindo bus accident “Waiting time for buses has reduced in some areas, but there is still a need to improve infrastructure and increase the number of buses,” he said. Expanding EV infrastructure On electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, Rugigana said the government, in partnership with the private sector, is mapping out charging stations nationwide to support the growing adoption of electric transport. “All petrol stations in the countryside and other areas are being required to install charging points. Companies operating electric buses that travel to rural areas are also setting up their own charging infrastructure.”
