Nairobi Matatu Operators Chairman Jamal Ibrahim, popularly known as Jamal Roho Safi, says that fares will reduce following a directive by the government that Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) can carry passengers to capacity.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Friday, August 6, Jamal stated that the initial hike of prices helped the sector with maintenance of the vehicles.
PSV's had initially increased fares after the government ordered that they reduce the number of passengers in a bid curb the spread of Covid-19.
A 14-seater matatus would carry a maximum of eight passengers and a 25-seater vehicles a maximum of 15 passengers.
"We were carrying less capacity and had increased the charges because we were checking the maintenance costs as well. For now, we will reduce fares and get them back to normal," Jamal stated.
The Ministry of Transport, through the Cabinet Administrative Secretary (CAS) Chris Obure, stated that PSVs will resume pre-covid-19 operation modes starting Monday, August 9.
Immediately after the announcement, a section of Kenyans took to social media to probe whether the PSV operators would reduce bus fares.
"I noticed matatus are always full and I doubt they reduced the fare that they had increased when they were told to reduce capacity. Will they now reduce the fare paid?" a netizen posed.
"Big Question: Are the Saccos going to do a fare reduction from Monday?" another probed.
The matatu industry says it has lost Ksh 31 billion since March 2020 when the directive was issued.
