The government has embarked on an ambitious plan to introduce the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the populous Nairobi's Eastlands with the aim of easing traffic congestion on the routes serving the area.
The 12 kilometer project will connect the Eastlands area to Upper Hill and will cost the taxpayer Ksh37.6 billion.
The road will start from the Kenyatta National Hospital, progress down Haile Selassie Avenue to the Central Business District, then continue on to Race Course Road and Ring Road Ngara, to Juja Road, and end at the Dandora Roundabout.
The project, dubbed BRT Core Line Three, has attracted European Investment Bank (EIB) as one of the main financiers.
Over 110 electric buses will be deployed on the line to allow circulation of buses after every 90 seconds, especially during peak hours.
It is projected to shorten the time of travel from Dandora to Kenyatta National Hospital from the current 2 hours to about 38 minutes.
The construction will begin towards the end of the year and the road will become fully operational in 2025.
The BRT route will offer relief to Eastlands residents who have been forced to contend with chaotic public transport system and heavy traffic on Jogoo Road, Juja Road and other routes in the densely populated area.
To kickstart the project, Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (Namata) has sought approvals from National Environment Management Authority (Nema) in preparation for the heavy construction works.
"Total travel time from (KNH) to Dandora will be between 34 and 38 minutes, depending on type of service," NAMATA stated in its letter to NEMA.
According to one of the interested financiers of the project, it will significantly contribute to decongesting the city.
"Clean BRT Line 3 will provide a substantial improvement to the current public transport system of the congested capital of Kenya by offering a green solution to the challenges of an efficient bus network," EIB stated.
This comes even as the government enters the final stages of launching BRT Line Two on Thika Road.
The BRT Line Two, which will commence operations mid this year, stretches from Kenol in Murang'a County to Ongata Rongai in Kajiado. It, however, shares some facilities with Line Three on Haile Selassie Avenue.
The project, together with Nairobi Expressway, is expected to ease movement within the city.
