Rwanda has approved a sweeping reform of public transport in Kigali, introducing an airline-style system that will see buses operate on strict schedules instead of waiting to fill up before departure.
Under the new model, buses will leave bus parks at designated times and must adhere to tight performance standards, including limited delays when departing parks and stopping along routes. The reform aims to eliminate the long and unpredictable waits that commuters have endured for years.
To implement the changes, government has established a centralised state owned company, Ecofleet Solutions which will coordinate all city transport services. The firm will manage fleets, depots, route assignments, real time monitoring, fare systems and overall service quality. Private bus operators will remain involved but will now work under performance based contracts that reward reliability and penalise poor service.
The shift is part of a broader strategy to modernise Kigali’s transport system and transition to cleaner mobility. The government plans to replace much of the fleet with electric buses by 2026 as it accelerates its move toward greener smarter urban transport.
Officials say the reforms will improve predictability for commuters, promote fairness in route coverage, and reduce congestion caused by irregular bus operations. With scheduled departures, digital monitoring and standardised management, authorities hope Kigali will set a new benchmark for organised public transport in the region.