Private Schools now seek a special bus license category for buses that are used regularly by school-going children.
According to Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA), this move is meant to boost the safety of the children.
Private school buses are categorized as PSVs by NTSA which is an adult safety standard. They want a separate class where they can redesign the buses to fit younger children in different grades.
In most cases, PSVs normally convert their vehicles into school vans and buses. The association says that this poses a risk to students.
KPSA reported an increase in transport fees due to the high fuel prices and maintenance cost resulting in additional trips, as schools adhere to social distancing in the fight against Covid-19.
Kenya private schools stated that they are working towards a separate classification of school buses so that they can ring-fence some of the safety measures for school buses.
KPSA National Chairperson Mutheu Kasanga maintained that re-classification gives room for them to redesign buses to accommodate learners in different grades or classes.
After the resumption of schools, a number of private institutions in the country increased tuition fees and some other charges as transport fees to enhance sustainability.
NCBA Bank recently signed a new financing deal with Isuzu East Africa to meet the school transport demand amidst the social distancing regulations by the ministry of health.
The transport deal allows schools a one-term repayment holiday and a repayment period of up to six years.
