Tuesday, February 12, 2008

New buses set to revolutionise matatu transport




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Transport Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere says the government is in the process of constructing road bypasses in order to ease the congestion problem in major towns.
In a speech read on his behalf by The Director of Motor Vehicle Inspection Mohammed Abdi, the Minister said the move is aimed at diverting all vehicles that do not necessarily have to pass through the city center to ease congestion.

" In order to address the challenge of congestion especially in the city of Nairobi, my Ministry has advertised for consultancy study of a proposed light-rail system, rapid bus system or a combination of the two for mass transportation of people in and out of the city. Through a 4 million dollars (Kshs.270 million) funding from the African Development Bank, the project if approved and implemented would link the city with its suburbs thereby providing the much needed transport requirements in the city. The same could be replicated in the other population-expanding urban centers in the country." Said Chirau Ali Mwakwere

He made the remarks at the launch of a new commuter bus by the Matatu Owners Association in Nairobi.
The effort is aimed at ensuring that the public transport sector popularly known as matatu, becomes more compatible with the safety and traffic regulations.

" The crucial role that transport plays in an economy such ours cannot be overemphasized. On daily basis, people and goods have to be moved from source and reach destinations far and wide either internally or across the borders. For this reason, the disruption of transport in some parts of the country immediately after the last general elections was very unfortunate. This is because the disruption dealt a big blow to public service transportation and the goods haulage businesses, which did not augur well for the economy." He said.

General Motors East Africa has constructed a compliant bus that meets the terms of the "Michuki Rules" that were put in place five years ago.
The Compliant Matatu Owners Association bus is set to transform the public transport sector known for its blatant abuse of road safety regulations.

Association chairman Simon Kimutai said the association in partnership with Equity Bank and Invesco Insurance is providing loans and premium cover for matatu owners willing to purchase the new buses.
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Kenya Broadcasting Corp.
Written By:Judith Akolo , Posted: Tue, Feb 12, 2008

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