Some roads in Kigali now include lanes reserved exclusively for buses during peak hours, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve travel efficiency for public transport users.
According to an official statement, these dedicated lanes serve buses and emergency vehicles in the morning from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and in the evening from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This measure helps streamline movement along some of the city’s busiest routes.
The roads where these bus-only lanes are currently implemented include City Centre Roundabout – Payage – Kanogo – Rwandex – Sonatube – Giporoso – Cyamitsingi; Sonatube – Kicukiro Centre – Nyanza Bus Park; Downtown – 1930 – Roundabout – Yamaha – Nyabugogo Bus Park; and Hotel Gloria – Nyarugenge Market – City Plaza. These corridors are among the most frequently used, making them critical to easing urban mobility.
Outside peak hours, the same roads remain open to all vehicles and operate under normal traffic conditions.
The City of Kigali advises private vehicle owners who regularly use these routes to adjust their travel schedules by moving earlier before restrictions begin. Alternatively, they are encouraged to delay non-urgent trips until after peak hours when the dedicated lanes are no longer in effect.
Authorities also recommend that drivers explore alternative routes instead of relying heavily on major roads during busy periods. In addition, motorists may park in designated areas and continue their journeys using public transport, which is becoming increasingly efficient under the new system.
The government continues to promote public transportation as a practical solution to reduce fuel consumption, especially amid rising global fuel prices linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Increased reliance on public transport also reduces the number of vehicles on the road, helping to cut harmful emissions and support environmental protection efforts in Rwanda.
