Kigali Commuters Decry Long Waiting Hours for Public Buses as MININFRA Unveils a New System to Cut Waiting Time to 10 Minutes

For several years, Kigali residents who rely on public transportation have voiced frustration over long waiting hours at major bus stations especially at the busy Nyabugogo Bus Terminal. Amid growing concern, the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) has announced a new digital system expected to reduce waiting time to 10 minutes inside the terminal and no more than 3 minutes at bus stops. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve public transport efficiency and will be implemented in partnership with Ecofleet Solutions Ltd, a government-owned technology company.

On Monday afternoon, a Top Africa News’s reporter visited Nyabugogo Bus Terminal and found unusually long lines of passengers waiting for buses heading to different parts of Kigali. Some commuters had already spent close to an hour in line, while others stood exhausted under the scorching sun or heavy rains.

Claudine Mukandori, a resident of Nyamirambo, expressed her frustration: “Honestly, I am exhausted. Sometimes I come here at 6 PM and only get a bus after 7 PM. We stand in the sun, and sometimes the rain starts while we’re still here. It’s too much for us.”

Eric Ndayishimiye, who works in Kimironko, says the delays affect workers the most: “There are simply not enough buses. Sometimes you end up being late for work or losing valuable time to rest. We need the government to intervene because this problem has gone on for far too long.”

Many commuters agree that the number of buses is far lower than what the population needs, especially during peak hours in the early morning and evening.

State Minister Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye promises a new era in public transport

The State Minister in charge of Transport at MININFRA, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, says the government has introduced a new digital monitoring system designed to track all public buses across the city in real time. The goal is to ensure that buses reach passengers on time and to increase the frequency of trips on busy routes.

Uwihanganye explained: “We want to ensure that no passenger spends more than ten minutes inside the terminal or more than three minutes at a bus stop. This is a major solution for the public concerns we have received over the years.”

Ecofleet Solutions Ltd to monitor all buses digitally

On its part, Ecofleet Solutions Ltd says the system will provide real-time updates on the location and movement of every public bus, ultimately helping reduce delays and improve planning for transport companies.

He added that the system will automatically flag buses that make very few trips or spend too much time idling, helping authorities identify performance gaps and areas that require additional buses.  “This gives us hope”  commuters welcome the new plan

Daily bus users say the new system could significantly reduce the physical and emotional strain caused by long hours of waiting.

Beatha Mukarugomwa, who commutes every day, said: “If buses start arriving every ten minutes, it will help us so much. We will reach work on time and avoid the exhaustion caused by standing in long lines.”

Another commuter, Jean Paul Habiyaremye, a worker in downtown Kigali, hopes the initiative will be sustainable:“This is the solution we’ve been waiting for. We just hope it won’t be another program that starts and fails after a short time.”

13 public transport companies, over 450 buses but still not enough

Kigali currently has 13 licensed public transport operators with a combined fleet of over 450 buses. Although this number seems substantial, the population and demand for public transport have grown rapidly in recent years. Many passengers say some routes especially those serving Kimironko, Kanombe, Remera, and Gisozi experience bus shortages, leading to delays of up to 45 minutes or more.

Authorities say the new system is expected to reveal these pressure points clearly, enabling bus companies and regulators to direct more buses where they are most needed.

With Kigali continuing to grow both in population and economic activity, the introduction of a modernized transport monitoring system offers renewed hope for thousands of residents who rely on buses for their daily movements.