The plan by the government to roll out buses in Nairobi will be a boost to commuters who have been subjected to unpredictable fare charges for a long time by the matatu industry.
About 50 buses with a capacity of over 100 passengers are set to be launched within a month in a Government-run BRT system.
The system will change the face of Nairobi transport industry in many ways.
There will be efficiency along six corridors that will ease jam in the city.
The project will also get rid of the unpredictable and exorbitant fare charged on commuters.
Further, it will help reduce congestion in the CBD as matatus will be banned from entering the CBD.
The BRT project is in progress and the demarcation of the designated lane on Thika Super Highway to be used as a Bus Rapid Transport lane is right on course.
The designated lanes will only be used by the specific buses and are therefore expected to bring about ease and smooth flow of these vehicles.
This together with the high capacity-bus is expected to boost business activities both in and outside Nairobi city as it will enable movement of a large number of commodities and many people.
Therefore the claims that the BRT project will worsen jam in Nairobi, bring unfair competition, as well as undercut saccos, is overstated. These buses will be plying in heavily populated routes at the same time allowing matatus to run due to the sufficient demands in these routes.
Furthermore, the phased introduction of the busses will allow matatu business adequate time to adjust their pricing and frequency as per changing demands.
“These buses will traverse the city which is not fair to matatu operators who are restricted on how far they can operate,” said Mr. Simon Kimutai, chairman of Matau Owners Association.
Therefore, the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transport will benefit Nairobi people rather than make things worse as claimed by some matatu owners