The Country Bus station in Nairobi once had a reputation as one of the busiest, most vibrant terminal in the city earning it the colloquial name ‘airport’.
The terminal has, however, become a pale shadow of its former self forcing bus and shuttle companies as well as travellers to find alternatives.
Rising insecurity and harassment, coupled with rogue crews and all-around disorganization at Country Bus have in recent times come to define the station.
Those who have experienced this first-hand lament that travellers are driven away by agents who are often disrespectful and, in some instances, arbitrarily raise the prices after journeys have begun.
“Who would wish to be harassed when boarding a bus, pushed and pulled all over, not knowing where your luggage is nor where they could be taking you, and sometimes even children going missing in the confusion after being separated from their parents.
[caption caption="Machakos Country Bus Station in Nairobi"]
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"Then eventually, when you get to their bus, they charge you more than they had initially said and the only option is to comply?” James Omae, a Galaxy Express ticket cashier told Nation.
The resulting exodus from Country Bus has been a boon to coaches and shuttles based in other locations within the city as they can guarantee customers greater organization, security and comfort.
Transline Classic Coaches head of customer care Edward Nyachoti concurred that they had benefitted directly from the rot at Country Bus.
“Their mistreatment and harassment of customers wins us more customers. Their loss is our gain as it is very hard to have our vehicles going without passengers. Our customers come here themselves and are not forced,” he told the same daily.
He further noted that travellers were willing to pay slightly higher fares for the improved experience.
[caption caption="File image of a section of Nairobi "]
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