Govt Doubles Bus Fare For Thika Road BRT Buses

Bus Rapid Transport buses assembled by Isuzu East Africa
Bus Rapid Transport buses assembled by Isuzu East Africa
File

The government has announced fares for the bus rapid transport (BRT) plying Thika road which is double what passengers pay using Public Service Vehicles commonly known as matatus.

Through an announcement made by Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (Namata) acting director-general Francis Gitau on Wednesday, February 9, passengers using the new buses will have to pay Ksh150.

The said amount will be levied on passengers using the Kasarani-Kenyatta National Hospital route with the new buses and will be cashless.

A Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) station under construction along Thika Road at Safari Park footbridge
A Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) station under construction along Thika Road at Safari Park footbridge
Photo
KeNHA

The 27 - Kilometer Kasarani-Kenyatta National Hospital line is expected to be operational by June. This is part of the second corridor that runs from Kenol to Rongai

The BRT buses are set to be rolled out in the next four months on a pilot basis. 

“The fares will be charging is Sh150 along the Kasarani-Kenyatta National Hospital line that we hope to start operating come June on a pilot basis,” stated Gitau. 

Although the fare is double, it will be cost effective as passengers will will not be using two buses, that is from Kasarani to Town then from CBD to Kenyatta National Hospital which they pay a maximum of Ksh100.

“In the pilot, the fare will be standard. However, the fare policy for the system will be in zones which are distance-based.”

Other motorways also identified in the project include Ngong Road — Juja, Mama Lucy — T-Mall, and Balozi to Imara roads.

On the other hand, passengers will use a special toll payment card in order to access the routes within Nairobi Metropolitan Area.

They will be issued with cards loaded with points which they can tap at terminus along each corridor before they can be allowed to board the buses.

“BRT will be cashless. There will be a card that will also integrate commuter rail payment. Methods of topping up include normal MPesa playbill or you simply go to a designated vendor,” Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga stated.

BRT corridors are expected to hold up to 100 high-capacity buses which will increase to 300 in subsequent orders.

The new system is meant to improve Nairobi's public transport network and complement the matatu sector.

The buses will be deployed on the already marked Thika Super Highway and other major roads within the city.

Other areas of priority include Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Likoni, James Gichuru-Rironi, and Bomas to Ruiru roads.

Only electric buses will be allowed and with exception given to hybrid buses with the ability to carry large capacities. Diesel buses have been locked out of this new system.

Bus Rapid System
A file Image of the Bus Rapid System works along the Thika Super Highway,2021.