Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) announced plans to expand the Green Park matatu terminus to accommodate 200 vehicles at any one moment.
The news was confirmed by NMS director of Transport and Public Works Michael Ochieng who noted that test runs had already been conducted in readiness for its official launch.
Initially, the termini had been designed to accommodate 140 vehicles, but will now be expanded, even as it nears completion.
"We have made it bigger and we are expecting it to accommodate 6,000 matatus a day. It should now accommodate 200 matatus at a go. The date of commissioning will be announced in due course," Ochieng stated.
Green Park terminus, located at the Kenya Railways club, will serve motorists plying Ngong Road and Lang'ata Road once complete. It is part of the plans by NMS to decongest traffic along the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
Others are Desai Road, Fig Tree terminus at Ngara, Muthurwa terminus, Bunyala Road Termini and a proposed terminus at Globe Cinema Roundabout.
Recently, NMS had also expanded the terminus to accommodate boda boda riders and taxis. Further, high-capacity buses will also be available at the terminus as an alternative for commuters who do not prefer to walk to the CBD.
"We have incorporated services to make the terminus a vibrant business hub," said NMS boss Mohamed Badi.
Initially, NMS had postponed plans to relocate matatus from the Central Business District (CBD) on multiple occasions due to delays and constant opposition from matatu operators and boda boda riders.
Led by National Matatu Association chairman John Muthonga, they claimed that they had not been consulted on the pertinent matter.
"There is no way you will come up with a plan and fail to engage us. We have been in this city for more than seven decades. We have the solutions they are looking for," Muthonga stated.
