Rwanda: government backtracks on transport price hikes

Implementation of social distancing at a bus stop in Kigali, Rwanda, May 4, 2020. AFP / Simon Wohlfahrt

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3 min

Fares had been increased at the end of confinement, when buses could only be half-filled in order to respect social distancing.

Despite a small drop on October 14, they had remained above the prices before the coronavirus crisis.

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In Rwanda, the government suspended, Wednesday evening, an increase in transport prices which had sparked a wave of protests from the population on Twitter.

It was under the hashtag # RURA4transportfairness that Internet users challenged the transport regulatory authority (RURA) first, then Parliament, and finally the president.

While the economic consequences of the coronavirus crisis hit the population hard, the increase in prices was seen as an injustice towards the poorest.

“ 

 , ”tweeted poet Inès Giramata, who with singer Clarisse Karasira quickly joined the movement.

Then Frank Habineza, one of the few opposition MPs, called on the radio for the resignation of the leaders of the transport regulatory authority if they did not lower prices.

Complaints finally heard by the authorities who announced the suspension of the new tariffs, pending the recovery of the economy.

In the meantime, the government should subsidize carriers to compensate for their losses.

A decision quickly greeted on Twitter, which has become in recent years a platform where Rwandans express themselves on social issues.

Thank you @RURA_RWANDA for acknowledging our grievances.

We have full confidence in you to finding an optimum solution grounded on true fairness and compassion for all parties involved.

https://t.co/FS8y0unX4B

  Clarisse Karasira (@ clarissekarasi1) October 18, 2020

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