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Motorcyclists grapple with system challenges as cash deadline sets in

Tuesday July 07 2020
moto

Motorcycle taxi operators have raised concern that they may not meet the deadline to go cashless as they are yet to receive devices to facilitate cashless operations. Photo | Cyril Ndegeya

By LEONCE MUVUNYI

The operators said the process of acquiring the devices is lengthy, yet Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (Rura) has set July 1, as the deadline for all motorcyclists to install the digital payment enabling devices.

This follows successful deployment of the cashless payment system in public transport in Kigali city.

However, the two-wheelers operators talked to Rwanda Today said that they are still challenged by the lengthy procuring process of the Rwf200, 000 worth devices.

“We have been registered with Pascal technology to get meters like two weeks ago but one week to the deadline, we haven’t yet to get the devices,” said Janvier Mugabo, a moto-taxi operator in Kigali.

“I frequently go to their office to do follow up but always no information is being provided. We would love to get the exact time for us to get the devices because, by July 1, we have to be equipped with the devices, otherwise, we won’t be allowed to operate as per Rura,” he added.

Since the beginning of lockdown easing and motorcyclists start operating, the motorcyclists in Kigali were required to use cashless payments using MTN Mobile Money or Airtel Money, however, they are still not having the meters.

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According to the official figures, there are about 37,000 registered taxi-moto drivers in Rwanda with 22,200 of them operating from Kigali.

“We have been urged to open up an account with Banque Populaire du Rwanda, as the devices, will be acquired in leasing form, but if the deadline is nearing we have been stuck in limbo,” Daniel Gatera, a moto-taxi operator.

Currently, the authorized companies for the deployment of the cashless payment system with the motorcyclists are Pascal Technology Ltd, Tap and Go, Mara Group and Yego Moto.

A total rollout of the cashless the payment system has been envisaged following a previous flop in the uptake of the use of moto-meter counters for both passengers and moto-taxi operators, due to the enforcement difficulties.

The management of Yego Moto Ltd indicates that through the continuous training, the motorcyclist operators will be provided with the equipment.

Under the fresh bid, thousands of moto-taxi transporters have been trained by RURA and Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA) on using new moto-meter payment gadgets before the coronavirus era.

With over 10, 000 operators signed with Pascal technologies, the management has told Rwanda Today that by the set deadline motorcyclists will be equipped with the devices, ready to go.

“You can’t give the devices to anyone without due diligence,” Pascal Ndizeye, chief executive of Pascal Technologies told Rwanda Today.

Later last year, the Rwandan Ministry of Infrastructure declared a July deadline for the mot-taxi operators to “go digital or quit” by installing meters as envisaged to eliminate haggling between passengers and drivers, increase access to transport and track reckless driving.

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