Assessing perceptions of passengers' safety and security in public transport in Rwanda. The case of City of Kigali

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.