Matatu Ban: NMS to Conduct Another Green Park Test Run

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Commuters alight at Green park Terminus after NMS conducted a test run on Tuesday, April 27, 2021
File

The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) will temporarily ban matatus from Nairobi CBD while conducting its second Green Park Terminus test run. 

NMS will conduct the test run on Friday, May 28, from 4 pm to 8 pm according to a notice dated Wednesday, May 26. 

"Notice is hereby given to the General Public that all PSV vehicles operating from Nairobi Railway Station Frontage will do a test run of dropping and picking passengers at the Green park Terminal (former Lunar Park).

"Thereafter, normal PSV pick up and drop off operations will continue from the Nairobi Railway Station frontage until further notice," Director General Mohamed Badi announced. 

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Traffic snarl-up at Uhuru Highway in Nairobi in March 2020.
Kenyans.co.ke

The Kenya Airforce General added that NMS is in the process of implementing the various 'de-congestion strategies' of the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan (NIUPLAN)

According to Badi, one of the strategies is the construction of matatu stages. The Green Park Terminal that is intended to be the new stage for PSV vehicles is nearing completion and the process is now entering the transition phase of commissioning the terminal where all stakeholders will be assessing their level of preparedness for commissioning this facility.

NMS has changed the time, day and approach of its second test run after the first experiment conducted on Tuesday morning, April 27 between 6 am and 9 am caused a traffic snarl-up. Commuters and passengers were left stranded as traffic snarl occurred on major roads leading into the city. 

NMS Transport Director Engineer Michael Ochieng noted that there were shortcomings that needed to be addressed

These included dropping off passengers, restructuring common exits and re-analysing how commuters would connect to walkways to CBD. Part of the last mile connectivity was using taxis and boda bodas or commuter buses availed by the Kenya Railways Corporation. 

"We are looking to check the safety features even for the disabled and the physically challenged and others who may not be able to make it to town.

"Today is just the beginning but we want to ensure that the operation of the terminus is safe, works well and addresses the concerns of commuters and matatu operators to give them better service," Ochieng promised. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM leader Raila Odinga and NMS boss Badi have toured the terminus severally to assess its readiness. Uhuru urged NMS to expedite the construction of the stage. 

NMS is also constructing termini at Fig Tree in Ngara, Bunyala and Workshop Road and Muthurwa. Another plan in the offing is the construction of a terminus at Globe Cinema Roundabout.  

President Uhuru Kenyatta (in green shirt) and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (in a brown shirt) at Green Park Terminus on Thursday, April 1, 2021.
President Uhuru Kenyatta (in green shirt) and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (in a brown shirt) at Green Park Terminus on Thursday, April 1, 2021.
PSCU