Starting March 16, 2024 people who use public transport will start paying new fares, after government scrapes subsidies it paid in the sector.
The government used to pay one third of the total fare for passengers due to Covid-19 pandemic, and now that there will be no more subsidies, fares are to go up. Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore said in a press conference.
The government was subsidising public transport costs between 40 and 50 per cent which has now been scrapped.
This means public transport fares will increase by the same percentage. The subsidies that used to be injected into public transport will be spent on other services delivered to citizens, Gasore noted.
“Government has also removed internet costs from public fares that used to be charged to commuters. The internet cost which was Rwf10 per journey was removed because public transport fares will increase following the removal of subsidies.
Paying public transport fares depending on each kilometer a passenger uses is being tested and will be announced later,” he said.
Meanwhile, the government still owes public transport companies Rwf30 billion in arrears, officials told the media.
Passengers from Kigali to other areas of Rwanda will face the significant increase.
Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), on Tuesday, announced that some of the new prices include 1696frw from Nyabugogo to Gicumbi, Rwf4956 from Nyabugogo to Nyagatare, Rwf1506 from Nyabugogo to Muhanga, and Rwf3742 from Nyabugogo to Huye.
passengers will also pay Rwf4839 from Nyabugogo to Rubavu, Rwf7602 from Nyabugogo to Kamembe via Karongi, and Rwf8450 from Nyabugogo to Kamembe via Huye, among many other different places.
