Fresh bid to streamline public transport

By John Oyuke

A Public Private Partnership (PPP) has been formed with the aim of streamlining urban public transport.

Top on the agenda for the new team is to introduce high capacity bus systems.

The partnership aims to promote use of high capacity buses as opposed to lower capacity matatus carrying passengers within the country’s cities and towns.

Under the partnership, General Motors East Africa (GMEA) will supply the proposed bigger capacity Isuzu buses at concessionary rates, while the Co-operative Bank will finance the aqcuisitions and Invesco Assurance will provide a comprehensive insurance cover.

The Co-operatives Development and Marketing Minister Mr Joseph Nyagah yesterday launched the first in a series of workshops expected to lead to transformation of the public transport.

Saccos represented

The workshop, dubbed National PSV Vision 2030 campaign was attended by representatives from various Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (Saccos) and also addressed by Director-General of Vision 2030 Secretariat Mr Mugo Kibati.

The Vision 2030 public transport envisions a decongested Central Business District (CBD) by allowing few designated high-capacity buses to drop and pick passengers within the CBD area.

Nyagah said Investment in the public transport sector if well regulated remains one of the most lucrative business opportunities the cooperative movement can venture in.

"Thus, I wish to encourage lending institutions to consider partnerships with Sacco members to enable them buy high capacity PSVs whose returns are guaranteed," he said.