Nearly two months after the launch of a revamped public transport system, Kigali commuters say services operated under the state-owned Ecofleet Solutions are showing clear signs of improvement, particularly in punctuality, comfort and overall organisation.
Following the publication of departure timetables for 41 bus corridors on January 9, observations by The New Times across several routes suggest that the new system is gradually taking shape. On major city routes, buses now depart at 10-minute intervals during peak hours, while longer and peripheral routes operate every 20 to 30 minutes, especially outside rush hours.
During the busiest periods — from 6am to 9am and 5pm to 8pm — buses on key corridors are scheduled to leave every 10 minutes. City of Kigali staff have been deployed at major terminals to supervise operations and ensure schedules are respected.
A trip along the Downtown–Nyabugogo–Nyacyonga corridor showed buses departing on time, with staff actively enforcing the timetable. A similar pattern was observed on the Gasanze–Kimironko route, where services ran without unnecessary delays.
The reforms are anchored in a public-private partnership model, under which Ecofleet works alongside private transport operators. The new public entity supplies fuel and makes performance-based payments, while private companies provide buses and drivers. Part of the fleet already consists of electric buses, with plans in place to transition fully to green transport in the future.
For many daily users, the changes are already noticeable. Commuters point to reduced overcrowding, better timekeeping and a more predictable travel experience.
“Anyone who uses these buses regularly can see the difference,” said Adolphe Niyomugabo, a Nyacyonga resident who commutes daily. “Most departures now follow the timetable, except when delays are caused by things like traffic accidents or road congestion.”
On a Tuesday evening journey from Kimironko to Downtown, buses departed as scheduled, without waiting to fill up — a practice that previously caused long and unpredictable delays.
Another commuter described the improvements as encouraging, even if the system is still evolving. “It’s not perfect yet, but it’s clearly much better than before,” she said. “Knowing that buses are supposed to leave on time makes planning your day easier.”
Ecofleet Solutions chief executive Aubin Rukera said the feedback reflects steady progress under a phased reform programme.
“We are pleased with the response from commuters,” Rukera said. “This is a transition period. We’ve made important gains in scheduling, discipline and passenger experience, but we know there is more work ahead. Our focus is continuous improvement, stronger operations and deeper collaboration with our partners.”
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Some commuters report irregularities during peak hours, particularly on routes serving the city’s outskirts.
“There has definitely been improvement,” said Marcel Nkuranga, a regular commuter. “But during rush hours, buses sometimes take longer than expected to arrive, especially at stops outside the city centre.”
Others note that buses occasionally pass by without stopping once they reach capacity, undermining the benefits of fixed schedules for passengers waiting further along the route.
Drivers attribute many of the delays to traffic congestion. While dedicated bus lanes have helped on some corridors, their limited coverage — especially on narrow, two-lane roads — continues to affect consistency.
“The bus lanes help us keep time where they exist,” said a RITCO driver. “But traffic management is still a big issue. With better roads and fewer bottlenecks, the current fleet could serve commuters much more efficiently.”
Routes such as Kimironko–Masizi and Downtown–Kigarama–Karuruma remain pressure points, with long queues persisting at certain times. Ecofleet officials acknowledge these challenges, citing poor road conditions, including unpaved sections, as contributing factors.
“Improvement is a process,” Rukera said. “We regularly review our performance and identify areas that need adjustment. These discussions are ongoing.”
He added that Ecofleet is accelerating the rollout of technology to strengthen oversight and efficiency. Planned systems include GPS-based fleet tracking, real-time performance monitoring and tools to detect schedule violations or overcrowding.
Officials at the Ministry of Infrastructure have previously confirmed that further reforms are in the pipeline, including intelligent transport systems and automated inspections aimed at boosting transparency, accountability and service quality across Kigali’s public transport network.
For now, many commuters say the direction is promising — and that the daily journey is becoming more predictable, dignified and commuter-friendly.
