Abstract:
The City of Kigali is experiencing rapid population growth, public transport bus service
does not automatically solve all problems especially safety and security issues and risks
for passengers.
The aim of this research was to assess safety and security of passengers using public
transport bus service. From the general objective specific objective were derived as to
determine the level of safety and security and protection provided to passengers in the
City of Kigali, to identify the safety and security risk associated to public transport use
in the City of Kigali and to estimate safety and security parameters in public transport
in the City of Kigali bus service. Public transport safety and security data were obtained
through questionnaires and interviews at bus terminals, bus stop, and taxi parks
throughout the City of Kigali. Factor analysis categorized safety and security items into
loading factors and structural equation model was estimated in purpose of generating a
model on the factors predicting perceived safety and security of bus passengers.
Results of the research findings revealed that bus passengers in the City of Kigali are
overall safe and secure; and safety and security risk and problems associated to using
public transport bus are low; the perceived level and effectiveness of measures and
stakeholders interventions in improving passenger safety and security is highy
appreciated. It concluded that perceived safety and security of passengers is mainly
affected by safety parameters mostly risk of bus accident happening caused by vehicle
mechanical problems, risk of bus accident happening caused by driver behaviour and
risk of bus accident and security parameters mostly nights time hours risk to sense of
security, security risk in desolated places and a combination of variables where the most
influencing are effectiveness of usage of technology in safety and effectiveness of
communication tools for safe and secure travel.
Basing on findings different recommendations for safety and security future
improvement in the City of Kigali were proposed which include putting in place a good
regulatory environment to combat safety and security incidences.
