Public transport prices have just been revised downwards after the population’s discontent. They are back to those before covid-19.
From this Friday, October 23, 2020, the new public transport fares are 22 Rwf per kilometer in the City of Kigali and 21 Rwf per kilometer for the rest of the country as before the covid-19 pandemic.
According to the Minister of Local Administration and Social Affairs, Professor Shyaka Anastase, Rwanda has listened to the grievances of its people and has taken appropriate measures.” The state will have to pay the difference between the real price and the one set very recently to relieve the population,” he said on National Television (RTV). “The population will be able to go about its activities without hindrance to improve living conditions,” he added.
Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA) had shown that the tariffs of 14 October, considered high by the population, should come into force in March 2020 had it not been for the covid-19 pandemic which disrupted all economic forecasts. For the Director General of RURA, Patrick Nyirishema, the calculations had been well done. There was no question of revising prices downwards.
On the social media, several individuals expressed their disagreement. Nor did civil society support this measure, which was considered inappropriate because the population is still experiencing the consequences of this global pandemic. In addition, the prices of oil products on the international market have been significantly reduced.
From 29 March 2018, RURA had set the same rates of 22 Rwandan francs per kilometre for the city of Kigali and 21 Rwandan francs for the rest of the country. Thus the Nyamirambo-Road Station (Downtown) route, for example, is 176 Rwandan francs as before the lockdown due to the covid-19 pandemic. On 14 October RURA had set the price per person for the same route at 188 Rwf.
Gérard Rugambwa
