The Nairobi Metropolitan Services has revealed that the relocation of all Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) from the Nairobi City Centre will start from April of 2022.
Among the first that will feel the impact are the Matatus using Lang’ata road, Argwings Kodhek road, Ngong road, as well as the Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) from the Mount Kenya region. What this means is that operators will now end journeys outside Nairobi’s City Centre.
The Director for the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Transport and Public Works; Engineer Michael Ochieng made it known that the Park Road terminus, the Desai terminus, and the Green Park terminus, will begin operations before the month of April ends.
The Green Park terminus which had a cost of 250 million Kenyan Shillings is now 98 percent complete. The Park Road terminus and Desai terminus that were designed specifically for Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) from the Mount Kenya region which go for long distance journeys and ended said journeys at Tea Room, Accra Road, finished up construction over a year ago.
When combined the Park Road and Desai terminuses can take up to 160 vehicles at any given time. They are also able to process as much as 600 vehicles per hour.
For the Green Park terminus, it has the capacity to take between 300 to 350 vehicles at any given time, and can process around 1,000 Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) per hour and as much as 20,000 Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) per day.
The Green Park bus terminus will become the pick up and drop off point for all Matatus from Kiserian, Satellite, Kaberia, Makadara, Nairobi West, Langata, Ngumo, Highrise, Kibera, Kawangware, Dagoretti, Kikuyu, Rongai, Karen, and Ngong.
Three (3) test runs have already been carried out at the Green Park terminus. The first test run resulted in the improvement of the exit points. The second test run had to do with the pickup points and exit points while the third test run was on the operations of the terminus.
The Director for the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Transport and Public Works; Engineer Michael Ochieng added that adjustments have been made with a focus on the traffic flow.
Other terminuses include the Muthurwa terminus, the Fig Tree terminus, and the Globe Roundabout terminus. There is also one terminus at the junction for the Bunyala and Workshop Road.
According to Engineer Michael Ochieng, “The change we are making in terms of traffic to decongesting Nairobi has been done in other parts of the world and it must be done in Kenya too. We must take lead in East Africa to show that we are able to manage their public transport.”
The terminus at the Green Park will be controlled or operated digitally. What this means is that all vehicles getting into the Green Park bus terminus will be captured and then projected on a huge billboard which will then show the number plate of the vehicle, as well as the route that said vehicle is plying.
Not more than three (3) matatus will be allowed entry at a time per Savings and Credit Co-Operative Society (SACCO) with a period of not more than 20 minutes to drop and also pick passengers. Traffic Marshals from the county as well as traffic police will be present at all times to ensure and maintain law and order.
In the words of Engineer Michael Ochieng, “CCTVs installed will also help in not only securing the park but also in enhancing transparency. The time a vehicle arrives at the park and when it exits will be captured electronically. Passengers will be guided by a public address system and huge information boards already mounted at the park.”
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For the commuters or passengers who would not want to walk to the Nairobi City Centre they will be transported via a 66-seater city link shuttle buses. Priority will however be placed on special groups and a total of six (6) 66-seater city link shuttle buses will be used at the beginning stages. The number of city link shuttle buses will however be increased based on the demand.
The city link shuttle buses will be equipped with wheelchair trolley ramps, automatic doors with formidable grab handles for passengers who will be standing, air conditioners, and an infotainment system.
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Martin Eshiwani who is the Nairobi Metropolitan Services Head of Transport Administration revealed that, “The user-friendly buses, with the capacity of 36 seated and 30 standing, will be plying Green Park, city centre up to country bus. The fare to be paid is still being negotiated but will be pocket-friendly and trolley services will be provided.”
A Taxi rank and Boda Boda pick up area just off the exit lane adjacent to Crisco Church has also been put in place. It is expected that said taxis and Boda Bodas will use the same exit lane as the Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) when leaving the terminus.
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