Balancing Motos and Mobility: Kigali's Next step Toward Smarter Transport

Ecofleet solution: Learn how Kigali is reshaping urban mobility by balancing motorcycle taxis and public transport. Discover how smart infrastructure, regulation, and sustainable planning are creating safer, more efficient, and modern transport systems for the city.

Kigali is entering a new era of urban mobility. As more people navigate tight city streets using motorcycle taxis (“motos”), congestion, pollution, and safety concerns are growing. To tackle this, the Rwandan government has launched Ecofleet Solutions, a state-backed transport company focused on smart, sustainable public transport. 

This initiative aims to balance moto-taxis with a robust bus service, backed by green infrastructure and smart planning. 

In this blog, we’ll unpack what Ecofleet is, why it matters for Rwandans, and how it supports Kigali’s long-term sustainability goals.

What Ecofleet Is

Ecofleet Solutions Ltd is a state-backed company created to oversee and modernize public transport in Kigali. Its main responsibilities are: Managing buses and transport operations; Ecofleet will coordinate bus fleets, plan routes, schedule services, and ensure that buses operate consistently. Introducing smart transport systems; This includes GPS tracking, performance monitoring, real-time passenger information, and digital payments. Supporting electric transport; Ecofleet will work to introduce electric buses and collaborate with partners supporting electric motorcycles (e-motos). This helps reduce pollution and fuel costs.

Ecofleet functions as a central organization that brings order, planning, and technology into Kigali’s transport system.

Problems Ecofleet Will Help Solve

One of the problems ecofleet is intended to solve includes overdependence on Motos; Kigali has many motorcycle taxis. They are fast and flexible, but they also: increase congestion, cause more emissions, create road safety challenges and make transport planning difficult. Ecofleet aims to reduce this imbalance by strengthening the bus network so that people can rely less on motos for daily commuting.

Again, Unorganized Bus Services problems will be dealt with through ecofleet, Before Ecofleet, bus companies operated independently. This led to: long waiting times, irregular schedules, poor coordination and overlapping or missing routes. Ecofleet will operate a unified system where bus movement is planned and monitored.

Furthermore, Pollution and Fuel Costs; diesel buses and petrol motos produce significant emissions. They also rely on imported fuel, which is expensive. By encouraging electric buses and e-motos, Ecofleet will help reduce both emissions and long-term transport costs.

In addition to problems of Lack of Predictability Many commuters cannot predict when buses will arrive. Ecofleet aims to fix this by: running buses on fixed schedules, using GPS for real-time tracking, improving communication with passengers.

What Rwandan Citizens Should Expect

Rwandan citizen should expect variety of changes in transport sector like;

More Reliable Buses; buses will operate on clear, fixed timetables. This will make it easier for people to plan their movements.

Cleaner and Quieter Transport; with the introduction of electric buses and more e-motos, the city will experience less noise and fewer pollutants.

Improved Safety; a coordinated transport system reduces risky driving practices and improves compliance with transport regulations.

Better Use of Technology; passengers will eventually benefit from: real-time bus location information, digital payment systems and more organized bus stops and terminals

Opportunities for Jobs and Skills; ecofleet requires staff in areas such as operations, technology, maintenance, and customer service. This creates new job opportunities.

How Ecofleet Supports Sustainability and Conservation

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions; electric buses and e-motos do not release tailpipe emissions. This helps Kigali progress toward national climate goals and reduce air pollution.

Increasing Energy Efficiency; electric vehicles use energy more efficiently than petrol or diesel vehicles. As Rwanda continues developing its grid and renewable energy capacity, electric transport becomes more sustainable.

Enhancing Urban Health; cleaner air means fewer respiratory problems. Less noise pollution improves the general quality of life in the city.

Supporting Green Urban Planning; a reliable bus network reduces the number of individual vehicles on the road, helping protect Kigali’s green areas and reducing pressure on the environment.

Challenges Ecofleet Will Need to Overcome

Although the project is promising, some challenges must be managed: Cost of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, Training and preparation of transport operators, Ensuring moto drivers are supported during transition, Public acceptance of new transport habits.