Kigali- “I am happy with my work as a moto-taxi driver here… I work there for hours and I get an income that helps me manage my life,” says a motorcycle driver without mentioning his name during an Al Jazeera Net tour of the Rwandan capital, Kigali.
Taxis fill the streets of the capital, and they are unmistakable and flow very smoothly between the narrow alleys, making them a preferred means of transportation for many, not only because they are cheap, but also because they are available, fast, and environmentally friendly.
Tens of thousands of Rwandans work in the moto-taxi sector in the capital and other areas of the country, transporting citizens and tourists who see these bikes as a means of transportation that is “cheap, fast and available everywhere,” in the words of one of the passengers there.
Officials say that in Kigali there are more than 20,000 people who use bike taxis, and as the city expands and given its geographical location, moto-taxis have proven to be an efficient means of transportation, especially when a person is in a hurry.
We were not in a rush like some here, but we wanted to experience the experience, so we rode one of the motorcycles and roamed the city for a few minutes, which was enough to get an idea of this widespread method.
What distinguishes the trip by bicycle taxi is that it allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature, the cleanliness of the streets, and the movement of pedestrians in a pleasant atmosphere with light rain from time to time.
Citizens are not the only ones who use bicycle taxis, but even tourists. Rwanda receives about 1.4 million tourists annually, and tourism is an important source of hard currency, as this sector achieved revenues of $640 million in 2023 estimates, according to the country’s official data.
Moto Taxi is a source of income for thousands
The moto-taxi profession generates income for thousands of city residents, most of whom are young people who work in safe conditions, at a time when the responsible authorities are carrying out continuous campaigns to ensure the implementation of road rules and regulations to ensure the safety of moto-taxi users and customers, says Emma Claudine Nterenganya, the general director in charge of communication with the city. Kigali.
This sector is subject to tight regulation, as taxi drivers have legal licenses, special stations for passengers, and specific transportation tariffs and fees, which makes this means an alternative for those who want to escape traffic jams.
The average price of a motorcycle in Rwanda is about two million Rwandan francs ($1,500), while the driver may earn approximately $18 per day, but a number of them pay part of the income to the owner of the taxi.
Moto taxi pricing
The price of riding a bicycle taxi (moto taxi) is 400 Rwandan francs ($0.3) for the first two kilometers, then 117 francs for each additional kilometer up to 40 kilometers, and after 40 kilometers, each additional kilometer will cost 250 francs (the dollar is equivalent to approximately 1,360 Rwandan francs).
While some moto-taxi users believe that among the factors that helped the spread of the means of transportation is the speed limit on the roads, Nteringanya pointed out in an interview with Al Jazeera Net that the speed limit varies according to location and geographical and demographic conditions.
In some areas, the limit is 40 kilometers per hour or less due to the types of activities and movement of people in that location, and in other areas the limit can reach 60 kilometers per hour, while in some places the speed may reach 80 kilometers per hour.
Eco-friendly bike taxis
Nterenganya confirms that with the approval of the Electric Mobility Strategy Document in 2021, we have seen an increase in electric vehicles, including electric motorcycles.
She says: The government has granted many incentives to investors in the field of electric mobility, including setting a maximum price for electricity for charging stations and benefiting from reduced prices outside peak hours, and exempting electric vehicles, spare parts, batteries, and charging station equipment from value-added tax, in addition to the exemption. of import duties.
Several local companies provide electric motorcycles, and the number exceeds more than 4,100 motorcycles imported from foreign markets to meet the growing demand for this type of green transportation.
The country encourages the use of electric motorcycles to contribute to reducing gas emissions and promoting sustainable urban transportation.
Smart applications
Nterenganya says some smart apps are under development for bike taxi operators and riders and some have been tested, but not yet operational, and she hopes some will be approved in the near future and ready for use.
Motorcycles are not the only means of transporting people in Kigali, but there are other means of transportation in the city, such as buses, private vehicles, and taxis.
While the population in the capital, Kigali, approaches two million, officials have been keen to improve public transportation, as the city received 200 new buses in addition to more than 500 existing buses, but bicycle taxis complement these efforts.
