Fresh bid to end traffic congestion in Nairobi

Nairobi City County traffic marshalls at work alongside the police. The Government will set up matatu holding points outside the CBD in efforts to decongest the city. [Photo: Elvis Ogina/Standard]

The county government is planning a raft of new measures to end vehicular congestion in the city.

According to Nairobi Deputy Governor Jonathan Mueke, only two matatus from one sacco will be allowed to stop at any given termini at the same time.

Matatus will operate from holding points, which will be located on the city’s outskirts, and will only be allowed to the gazetted bus termini once the others have departed.

Speaking after a consultative meeting between Matatu Owners Association (MOA) and Matatu Welfare Association (MWA), Mr Mueke said the county government had also resolved to set up a committee to look into ways of decongesting the city.

The Deputy Governor said the committee, which will begin operations on Monday, will among other things be tasked with developing a new public bus termini outside the CBD, reintroduction of cross-city routes and identifying spaces outside the CBD, which will act as holding points for public service vehicles.

“We have resolved to put together a committee inclusive of all stakeholders from NTSA, Matatu Welfare Association, businessmen, MOA as well as the county government to put in place long-term and short-term solutions to the congestion in the city,” said Mueke.

He also gave a directive that all matatus should submit their permits by April 7 (today) for verification and told those without the document to apply.

Muthurwa, Ngara and Globe Roundabout, he said, are among the areas being considered to be holding points. “The major challenge is where to get space for a major bus termini and holding points outside the CBD. The committee will however be operational until the Nairobi Metropolitan Authority is set up in order to take up regularisation of the transport sector,” he added.

MOA chairman Simon Kimutai said they are in  the process of reintroducing the cashless matatu payment system which will, among others, prevent the fluctuation of fares especially during the rainy season.