The implementation of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) in Nairobi commenced on Thursday with the innermost lanes along the Thika Superhighway demarcated red with the words "BRT ONLY" prominently marked on the road surface to send a signal to drivers to keep out.
The lane will be dedicated to facilitating easy movement of all high capacity PSV buses carrying over 80 passengers and aims at both decongesting the city and facilitating easier movement in the country's economic hub.
Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) James Macharia on Thursday inspected the roll-out phase of the BRT implementation.
[caption caption="CS James Macharia inspecting demarcation of the lane"]
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"The plan is to create a bus priority corridor on Thika road, with an introduction of an express traffic dedicated bus lane along Thika Road, Muranga Road, through the CBD to Kenyatta National Hospital," CS Macharia stated.
Reports by KeNHA and the Transport Ministry indicate that the BRT buses will have pick-up terminus at Githurai, Kasarani, Roysambu and Outer Ring.
Passengers will be dropped off at Tom Mboya (Posta), GPO, Community, Kyulu Road, Mara Road, Hospital Road and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, KeNHA confirmed that the project would be carried out in coordination with the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NAMATA).
CS Macharia disclosed that the Thika highway corridor was given a priority given that the 900 buses which are needed to serve the six BRT corridors identified by the government are not currently available.
National Youth Service (NYS) is set to import the buses which will be built in the style of Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) with the Treasury disclosing a possible waiver on their import duty.
[caption caption="Map of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) corridor in Nairobi"]
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Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Thursday revealed that his government is currently constructing Ngara Road terminus which is among the newly gazetted PSV terminus aimed at decongesting the city.
