Three days after Nairobi Expressway launched the new exit at Haile Selassie, motorists plying the road have voiced their frustrations over the confusion regarding the designated route as well as the revised toll charges.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Jeanne May, Head of PR Expressway at Moja Expressway, the company managing the elevated road, explained that motorists sought clarification over the new route, with the normal traffic grid-lock still witnessed along the Capital Centre route on Monday and Tuesday.
She expressed that the majority of motorists were not aware of how to connect using the new exit.
The new exit features five lanes and is located at Green Park. The feature is aimed at easing traffic flowing towards the Central Business District (CBD) and City Centre.
The route consists of two directions, one heading to Processional Way then on to Haile Selassie Avenue while another goes from a right turn from the toll station towards the Kenyatta Avenue Roundabout.
This means that motorists heading to Nairobi CBD, Upper Hill and Ngong Road will be able to ply and exit the route with ease.
However, she pointed out that the traffic previously witnessed at Museum Hill has been eased.
Toll Charges
May also detailed that most motorists lamented about the new revised rates for using the Nairobi Expressway.
For instance, motorists will have to pay Ksh410 from Mlolongo to ply the Haile Selassie exit. Those plying the route through Syokimau will pay the same amount.
A trip from the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Haile Selassie will cost Ksh330 while heading to the new exit from the Eastern Bypass will cost Ksh250.
On the other hand, commuting from the Southern Bypass to the exit will cost Ksh170 while motorists heading to Haile Selassie from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) will pay Ksh330.
May explained that the new toll charges were effected to reflect the depreciating Kenyan shilling which continues to shed against the dollar. Currently, the Kenyan Shilling is trading at 162 against the greenbuck.
"We raised cash in dollars to construct the road and collecting in Ksh so there needs to be adjustments made to cater for maintenance and running costs and cover for the amount," May highlighted.
"For instance, there is no need to charge less and motorists find the road in a poor state."
