Government of Rwanda has directed motorcycle operators offering commercial services to register with ride-hailing firms in the country so as to embrace cashless payments.
According to The New Times, motorcyclists have to do this by July 1, 2019. Authorities say the initiative is part of the country’s plan to be a cashless economy by 2024.
The ride-hailing firms that are benefiting from the project are Yego Innovision, which is behind Yego Motos and Pascal Technology Ltd, the developers of the Pascal Moto app.
Speaking to The New Times, Rwanda’s State Minister in charge of transport Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye said the new system will eliminate haggling, improve safety and boost security on road transport since riders will be registered and can be tracked.
“It will increase access to transport, improve the management of cooperatives of motorcyclists and tracking, the reckless behavior of riders.”
There are over 25,000 licensed commercial motorcyclists across the country and an estimated 20,000, who are unlicensed.
Of the above, only 7,000 motorcycles are registered with ride-hailing apps. Away from motorcycles, Rwandans are also already using digital cash to pay fares on buses.
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