Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), popularly known as matatus, will now be allowed to use the Nairobi Expressway.
In a statement by Moja Expressway, the parent company managing the Nairobi Expressway on Wednesday, June 1, it was revealed that the passenger vehicles will be allowed to use the road on condition that they do not pick up or drop off passengers along the 27- kilometer stretch.
Moja explained that the move will prevent the occurrence of traffic jams on the elevated road.
The statement by Moja Expressway followed a day after some PSVs were filmed using the road amid queries whether passenger vehicles should be allowed access to the road.
A section of Kenyans argued that allowing PSVs to use the road eases the flow of traffic on the old road as they move more people compared to personal vehicles.
"I’m of the opinion that Public Service Vehicles including Matatus should actually be given a priority on the expressway. Buses to and from Mombasa should also be on it. They carry more people compared to private cars," Ahmed Mohamed opined.
"PSVs can use the Nairobi Expressway, they are just not allowed to drop off and pick up people," Moja Expressway responded.
In the new move, buses, and matatus will pay more depending on their categories. For example, buses will pay four times the amount a saloon car pays to use the road. Saloon cars pay from Ksh120 to Ksh360 depending on their exit points.
In recent weeks, motorists using President Uhuru Kenyatta's legacy project have experienced traffic snarl-ups at the endpoints with government officials solely blaming the motorist for the delays.
While appearing before the National Assembly Transport, Housing, and Public Works committee on May 31, Transport Principal Secretary, Paul Maringa, stated that some motorists refused to pay while exiting claiming they did not have any money to do so, as a result, traffic would build up.
“We discourage using cash payment because some people carry less money and start arguing at the payment point while others waste time as they wait for change. This is why we are encouraging everyone to use cards.
“It takes three seconds to use the card while it takes 45 seconds to use other modes of payment like a credit card. It even takes longer while paying cash," he stated.
