Kigali bus service: state firm to start city routes next month

Friday, 10th October 2025.

by inAfrika Newsroom

Kigali bus service will expand next month after a state-owned operator, Ecofleet Solutions, confirmed plans to launch city routes. The regulator said the company will begin with priority corridors and add lines as buses arrive. Fares and timetables will publish closer to launch.

Authorities pitched the move as a quick fix for crowding and long waits. Private operators will keep running while Ecofleet fills gaps. The regulator said service levels and punctuality will guide route choices. It also promised public updates on coverage and frequency.

City planners tie the rollout to a wider mobility program backed by development finance. A World Bank package supports safer junctions, better sidewalks, and transport hubs. Officials say these works will make buses faster and more reliable. They expect jobs in depots, maintenance, and ticketing.

Kigali has tested electric fleets and new ticket tech this year. Suppliers have announced deliveries and reservations for more battery buses. Officials see lower fuel costs and quieter streets as wins. They warn, however, that charging and depot upgrades must keep pace.

The near-term aim is simple: shorter queues and predictable trips. Commuters want earlier first departures and later last buses. Parents want school-hour reliability. Employers want fewer late arrivals. Planners said performance dashboards will track missed trips, dwell times, and on-time scores. They will adjust headways if corridors clog.

Operators ask for clarity on how routes, ranks, and revenues will be shared. They also want firm payment cycles to avoid cash strain. Officials said contracts will set service targets and penalties. They added that inspections would check safety, emissions, and driver hours. The regulator plans briefings with companies and commuter groups before day one.

Analysts will watch three early signals. First, whether buses arrive fast enough to meet demand. Second, if interchange points reduce crowding instead of moving it. Third, whether data tools cut bunching at peaks. A clean start could shift riders from motorcycles and cars to buses. If not, traffic and fares may stay volatile.

The test will play out on the road. Kigali’s hills, school rush, and rainstorms can wreck neat plans. Clear detours, live updates, and spare buses help. Stable funding helps more. For now, the message is momentum. A state player joins the network. Riders will judge it on minutes saved and seats found. Kigali bus service moves from plan to street next month.