Kigali, 2 December 2019:  A South African company based in technology solutions, Altron has signed a two-year partnership agreement with Pascal Technologies, a local company to install over 10,000 motorcycles with Global positioning satellites (GPS) gadgets and taxi meters before the end of February 2020. The two companies have announced that effective next week, first phase of 7,054 motorcycles will be installed with these new gadgets (GPS and taxi meters).

The agreement will see an investment of $18 million into the motor metering devices geared towards achieving the goal of transforming the motor transport sector into a cashless mode of transaction. The investment is expected to install metering devices on 36,000 motors.

The Ministry of Infrastructure has urged commercial motorcyclists to embrace the use of metering devices so as to promote cashless payment system as well as improve safety and security of passengers.

Francois Zirikana, the Safety and Licensing Compliance Senior Engineer at the Ministry of Infrastructure, said that the new investment is part of implementing national motorbikes management strategy. However, Zirikana told the media that as more firms invest in the production of metering devices and their operations, more commercial motorcyclists will be covered.

“Motorcyclists have already started to register but we were wondering if the meters are enough to cover all commercial motorcyclists. Universal coverage will depend on the capacity of the private sector to invest in producing enough quantity. Now the investments are available and motorcyclists will have no pretense,” he said.

He noted that there are a lot of benefits from the use of this technology. These, he said, include increased security for both passengers and motorcyclists due to GPS tracking. “So far if you consult special guarantee fund, it reveals that many motorcyclists cause accidents yet they have no insurance. But with this metering devices system, a motorcyclist will be monitored to know when their insurance expires. 

The motorcyclist who will not have operating license and all other required documents will not be allowed to operate since the device will be given to only those comply with rules,” Zirikana said. He explained that any motorcyclist who can, for instance, violate traffic rules will be easily tracked through a system so as to hold them accountable.

“It will also help us in our planning as we will be able to know the number of motor riders and passengers,” he said.

Pascal Ndizeye, the Chief Executive Officer of Pascal Technologies System Ltd, explained that they were also working with Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) to ease the application process to acquire a license needing to queue.

“The deal will help the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority progress towards the country’s broader national goal of having a cashless society. This is also aligned to a cabinet decision to monitor motorcycle operators for safety purposes.” he said.

“Passengers will be able to download application whereby they can pay fares through all means of payment. Foreigners will be able to use cashless payment while in Rwanda. For security purposes, it will be easy to know and track the rider,” he added.

He said that by January 2020, with $2 million investment at least 10,000 motorcycles will have obtained installed meters in Kigali city. “It requires more investments to equip all motorcycles. This means that investment in the signed agreement will complement existing investment and we will inject more as the sector gets streamlined,” he said.

Altron Rest of Africa managing Director Ike Dube said, “We will supply hard-wearing, cost effective devices, while Pascal Technologies will provide the software solution to facilitate mobile-money and bank card transactions, which will enable seamless payment for motorcycle transport services by commuters, thus transforming their everyday experience.”

“While we are excited about the commercial opportunity for Altron ROA, we are particularly pleased to be contributing towards Rwanda’s 2020 Vision through job creation and innovation. This is our first significant foray into the country, and we will continue to explore the extension of this solution into other territories,” he added.

In April 2019, the Cabinet meeting approved the national motorcycle transport strategy.

The move supports government target to embrace the cashless economy by 2024.