Kigali is undergoing profound transformation in how its residents move. And it is working quite well. The introduction of dedicated bus lanes on major corridors during peak hours, 6:00a.m to 10:00a.m and 5:00p.m to 9:00p.m, marks a decisive step toward reducing traffic congestion and timely public mobility. ALSO READ: Kigali rolls out extended bus lanes on four routes Paired with the centralization of public operator, Eco Fleet Solutions, these reforms are already delivering measurable gains. Faster commutes, higher passenger uptake, and a shift away from private vehicles. Yet one stubborn source of daily gridlock remains largely unaddressed. The chaotic morning and afternoon surges of parents dropping off and picking up children from school. ALSO READ: Govt rolls out park-and-ride to drive public transport uptake School-related traffic is more than an inconvenience. It contributes to prolonged delays, exposes children to elevated levels of air pollution from idling engines. Studies in Kigali have shown spikes in black carbon and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during drop-off and pick-up periods, often exceeding safe thresholds. This is not merely a mobility problem; it is a public health and urban efficiency challenge that demands an integrated solution. ALSO READ: Kigali sees 30% surge in bus passengers after reforms The good news is that the infrastructure and institutional framework already being built for public transport provide a ready platform to solve it. Just as Eco Fleet has brought order, fixed schedules, and accountability to city public buses, the same model can be extended to school transport. School buses can use the same dedicated bus lanes, which currently prioritize public buses. Park and ride spots can also be utilized by school bus operations, as drop off and pick of centers for the pupils. Rwanda has regulations governing school bus services under Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA). These cover vehicle standards, operator licensing, and basic safety requirements. However, the system remains fragmented, with many schools and parents still relying on individual arrangements. A bolder, centralized approach is now feasible. Eco Fleet or licensed partners operating under its coordination, could manage dedicated school routes using the same principles of fixed timetables, real-time GPS/GIS tracking, text messages services to inform parents of the safe arrival of their wards, and performance monitoring that are transforming public transport. To enhance safety, Eco fleet School buses can be equipped with seat belts, AI-powered CCTV camera system, trained attendants, and smart student tracking cards. The centralized school bus system will minimize fatigue for young learners who spend hours in parents’ cars driving home. For public schools, government subsidies could make the service free or heavily affordable, ensuring equity. Private schools could integrate fees into their packages, with incentives for participation. The benefits would extend beyond decongesting roads. Fewer private cars idling outside schools would reduce air pollution in sensitive zones where children spend their days. Road safety would improve through fewer chaotic maneuvers near gates and better enforcement of stop-arm rules when buses load or unload. Environmentally, integrating school buses into the electric fleet transition - Rwanda aims for a largely electric public bus fleet - would align with national climate goals and the push for green mobility. Critics may argue that cultural habits favour parental drop-offs for perceived convenience and safety. Successful models elsewhere, such as Dubai’s highly regulated school bus system, demonstrate that when buses are safe, punctual, and technologically transparent, parents shift behaviour. The government should transfer responsibility for school bus services to EcoFleet Solutions, positioning the state-owned company as the central business owner and coordinator. Eco Fleet would then franchise day-to-day operations to capable, independent private operators selected on a per-district basis. Financing could be secured through a mix of existing transport budgets, support from development partners focused on e-mobility, and modest, affordable user contributions where appropriate, while ensuring heavy subsidies for public schools to promote equity and broad access. This is not about restricting parental choice but expanding better choices. A well-run school bus system would free parents from daily traffic battles, reclaim productive time, and allow children to arrive at school and home calmer and safer. For a rapidly urbanizing Kigali aspiring to be a model smart city in Africa, tackling school-induced congestion is a logical next frontier in our mobility revolution. Extending this discipline to school transport would deliver safer streets, cleaner air, and more equitable access to education. With vision and coordination, Kigali can turn the daily school rush from a source of jam into a showcase of smart, sustainable urban living. The writer is an ideator and alternative development financing strategist.
