State eases pedal on cashless system

The Government seems to have lost interest in implementing the cashless payment for Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), after the December 1 deadline elapsed without a word. The first deadline was July 1, 2014.

As the State remains silent over enforcement, among other reforms in the public transport sector, stakeholders accuse it of failing to live to its word. Matatu Owners Association Chairman Simon Kimutai accuses the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) officials of poor enforcement of the regulations.

“The authority is haphazardly implementing the initiative without involving the stakeholders. They are only waiting for the vehicles to be taken for inspection so that they can deny them licences if they have not complied,” said Mr Kimutai on phone. “Over and above this, they need to change tactic. They can even do roadside inspection on certain routes to enhance compliance.”  Kimutai said a number of key players have acquired the new device but are reluctant to use it after NTSA dragged its feet on implementation.

But NTSA Director General Francis Meja, speaking on Thursday last week, in Nairobi during a launch of KCB’s new Cashlite Pepea Transit Card, defended the pace of implementation, saying the target will eventually be achieved. Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau said the enforcement of PSV regulations have faced challenges, mainly legal cases. For the last two years, public transport players have sued the State 32 times but the State has won all of them.

A survey by The Standard on major roads in Nairobi reveal that most matatu owners and conductors are reluctant to implement the cashless fare payment system.

“We are not sure the system will succeed as the players in the industry prefer cash payment based on the distance a passenger travels,” said James Musyoka a driver operating along Mombasa Road.