The number of public transport users in Kigali has increased by 30,000 following reforms introduced to improve urban mobility and ease transport challenges linked to rising fuel prices.
The government has rolled out several measures, including increasing the number of buses, introducing dedicated bus lanes in selected parts of the city, and improving operational efficiency within the public transport system.
According to the City of Kigali, these interventions have significantly boosted the number of residents relying on buses for daily commuting.
Passengers say the reforms have improved reliability and reduced travel times, noting that public transport is now more efficient compared to previous years when delays were frequent.
City of Kigali spokesperson Emma Claudine Ntirenganya told RBA that the growth in public transport usage reflects improved service delivery and commuter confidence.
She said the number of daily passengers passing through Nyabugogo Bus Terminal has risen from 200,000 to 230,000, representing an increase of 30,000 users.
“When we look at the figures, public transport users have increased significantly. Previously, around 200,000 people passed through Nyabugogo, but now the number has risen to 230,000,” she said.
Ntirenganya added that the reforms have also significantly reduced travel times across key routes in the city.
“For example, the Nyabugogo–Kicukiro route now takes less than 30 minutes, while the Downtown–Kabuga route, which previously took over two hours, now takes less than one hour,” she said.
She noted that dedicated bus lanes introduced during peak hours have played a key role in improving efficiency and reducing congestion.
The City of Kigali is also expanding the public transport network with new routes, including services linking Kigali International Airport to various parts of the city.
The airport route will operate in two sections, one connecting the airport to central hotels in Kigali, and another extending to Nyarutarama.
City authorities say ongoing reforms aim to further strengthen mass transit systems and encourage more residents to rely on public transport for daily movement.
