Kigali is set to adopt a new service-led public transport model designed to improve reliability, ensure better management of buses, and prepare the city for a smart and green mobility future. ALSO READ: Kigali City names three roads to be dedicated to public buses The model, set to be implemented at the beginning of December, was approved by the cabinet on November 28. It is expected to transform how buses are deployed, how operators are monitored and, most importantly, how passengers experience daily transport. ALSO READ: Nyabugogo bus terminal to get $100 million facelift The reform marks a major shift from the current net-cost model, which has long struggled with fragmented management, weak service quality and outdated systems. A statement from Ecofleet Solution Company, a new state-owned company that will manage public transport, notes that under the existing net-cost arrangement, responsibilities in Kigali’s public transport system are scattered across different players. No single body manages the fleet, depots, payment systems or service performance, it reads. Such fragmentation, according to Ecofleet, has contributed to unreliable service delivery, with profit-driven operations leading to long waiting times, inconsistent services and a generally poor commuter experience. With the new model, buses will not wait until they are full. They will be running on fixed and predictable timetables. The bus can not exceed 10 minutes of delay based on a fixed time to depart from a bus park. It should also not exceed three minutes of delay at bus stops, explained Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, the state minister in charge of transport at the Ministry of Infrastructure. The system starts in Kigali and will continue to other cities later, he said. He noted that Eco-fleet Solutions will sign service delivery agreements with private operators as a way of oversight. Private operators will be paid upon outcomes in terms of service delivery as per the agreements. Those with poor services will face penalties he noted. The new model brings different solutions according to Ecofleet solutions. Fleet management has been weak, and government-owned buses have often been poorly maintained, underused or defaulted on by operators. In addition, Ecofleet officials say fare collection systems are outdated, resulting in revenue leakages and limited visibility of how much money is actually collected. The model has also offered no clear pathway for integrating e-mobility, slowing Rwanda’s progress toward its NST2 and Vision 2050 green transport goals. All public transport buses will be electric by end of 2026, Uwinganye said. ALSO READ: Rwanda seeks investors to accelerate EV charging infrastructure development We want to reduce greenhouse emissions by 52 percent in 2035, said Bernadette Arakwiye, Minister of Environment. How the new model works To implement the reforms, the government has established Ecofleet Solutions, a company responsible for managing and coordinating the entire public transport system in Kigali. Ecofleet will oversee the transport system by ensuring sufficient buses are available and appropriately deployed across all corridors and routes. It will handle route planning, track operations in real time using modern technology and enforce consistent standards across all buses, covering cleanliness, safety and customer care. The company will also manage operator contracts, paying them based on measurable service levels rather than passenger numbers. In addition, Ecofleet will oversee all system infrastructure, from depots and terminals to bus stops and shelters. It will run the cashless payment system and receive all fare revenue, ensuring transparency and accountability. Private operators will continue to play a key role as they will operate the buses, employ drivers and conduct routine servicing. However, Ecofleet Solutions officials say they will work under performance-based contracts that reward them for quality of service rather than ticket sales. Drivers will remain under their current employers but will now operate within a more professional and regulated environment. Benefits to commuters For commuters, the reform promises a cleaner, more predictable and more dignified daily transport experience. Passengers will benefit from more reliable schedules, wider route coverage and improved service quality—all without any increase in fares. Starting in December, the pilot phase will introduce buses running on fixed and predictable timetables. I would spend between one and two hours waiting for the bus to be full before it departs. I often arrived late at work, said Emmanuel Kanani, a resident in Kigali. Technology integration Available details show that technology will be at the heart of the system. For example, real-time tracking will allow for accurate monitoring and quicker operational decisions. Cashless payment systems will improve transparency and reduce fraud, in addition to which, a central operations dashboard will monitor routes, delays and service levels, while digital maintenance tools will help manage repairs and fleet condition. Passengers will benefit from real-time information through mobile apps and digital displays at stations. There will be displayed and digital boards to inform passengers about bus availability and arrivals. The whole transport digital monitoring system could be available within a month period, officials said. Data-driven planning, using ridership and route analytics, will support continuous improvement. Emma-Claudine Ntirenganya, City of Kigali spokesperson said lanes dedicated to buses will start with Downtown-Remera road through Rwandex. The dedicated bus lanes will follow on Sonatubes-Gahanga road and Nyabugogo Gishushu roads among other roads within six months, according to the infrastructure ministry. Addressing challenges Traffic congestion will be addressed through bus-priority measures and improved traffic signal management according to Ecofleet Solutions. Fraud and revenue leakages will be tackled through a fully cashless system, smart monitoring tools and strict enforcement. Fleet condition will be safeguarded through clear maintenance standards, regular inspections and digital maintenance tracking. Aubin Rukera, CEO of Ecofleet Solutions said: The company will subsidise the cost incurred by private operators when they depart at the time buses are not full.
