Explainer: Alternative means of transport you can explore as matatu fares rise

Electric Bus by BasiGo on display during the inaugural E-mobility conference. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

It’s no longer a secret that commuters across the country will have to painfully part with an extra Sh20 or Sh30 of their normal fares, to meet the new public transport guidelines.

On Tuesday this week, the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) announced an increase in transport fares by Sh30, dependent on the various routes.

According to MOA, the decision was arrived at in order to cushion matatu operators from the increased Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel that saw the commodity’s price rise to Sh195 per litre.

The new fare plan hike will affect both town services and long-distance travelers, meaning that the routes which initially charged Sh100 will now be charging a solid Sh130.

Bearing in mind that there are passengers who use these matatus daily to and from their workplaces, it is proving to be quite a heavy burden.

In addition to the introduced and already existing salary reductions, commuters who roughly use Sh100 per day for transport will now have to spend an extra Sh1200 per month on the same.

The reality of this situation is that there are other unpopular means of public transport that commuters can opt for so that the new fare prices don’t end up denting their pockets as much.

If you are like this writer, any available options to save a little cash are a welcome idea.

Electric Buses

To begin with, the newly introduced public BasiGo electric buses can be transformed into saviors by those within Nairobi.

Currently, they only access a few routes compared to the normal PSVs but BasiGo asserts that more routes are being added daily.

For those looking for a means of public transport from the Central Business District (CBD) to Nairobi estates, the buses are available for boarding at various pickup points which include the National Archives, Kencom, and Ambassador.

Some of the already established routes of operation are those from CBD- Kikuyu, CBD- Kitengela, CBD-JKIA, Nairobi City Stadium-Dandora, and CBD-Civil Servants (CIVO).

These rides are timely and super easy to catch. By using the Live Bus locator, one can know the buses available and even monitor as they get closer to a given stop.

Take the Train

If the modernized form of transport is not yet in your area, maybe the old-school method exists. Kenya Railways network has grown over the years and is functioning effectively.

Long-distance travelers are well covered by the Madaraka Express Passenger Service which operates in thirteen (13) stations between Mombasa and Suswa.

They have a tight schedule uninterrupted by traffic. Inter-county train travels from Nairobi to Mombasa with stopovers at Mariakani, Miasenyi, Voi, Mtito Andei, Kibwezi, Emali, and Athi River stations.

Another passenger service departs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from the Nairobi terminus to Suswa with scheduled stops at Ongata Rongai, Ngong, and Mai Mahiu stations.

Moreover, there is a commuter service train that operates between Ngong and Ongata Rongai stations from Monday to Friday.

Cyclists along Kisumu street during the official opening of the car-free day in Kisumu CBD. [Michael Mute, Standard]

Cycling

Apart from trains, those whose childhood skills include cycling can take advantage of the situation and cycle to and from work.

Cycling does not only help escape the hike in fare prices dilemma but also plays a very big role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle as well as aiding in the conservation of the environment.

If your pockets are loaded, you may also explore electric bicycles, the new craze in town.

An electric rechargeable bike may go for between Sh120,000 to Sh350,000. It may seem like a huge amount at first but will prove effective in the long run.

Lastly, if you own a car kindly be generous. It does not cost much for one to offer a ride to their colleagues or neighbours who share the same route as you.

These solutions are not aimed at reducing fare prices but easing the burden of having to incur an extra estimate of Sh1200 a month on transport.