A new master project, designed to decongest the flow of traffic Nairobi has been approved by the National Treasury.
The Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) project will see 167 kilometers of new roads and railway lines linking the city to several satellite towns.
The Sh400 million system also involves a number of strategies that will reduce the flow of traffic within and around the Central Business District.
A commuter railway line will be built along Outer Ring, Jogoo, Mombasa, Limuru, Lang’ata, Ngong roads and Waiyaki Way corridors. It will run along the roads — some of which are currently being expanded.
A rapid bus transit system to be used exclusively by special buses which will charge lower rates than other passenger service vehicles will be constructed.
The building of additional special bus lanes from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport road junction to Machakos and another one to Kikuyu through Waiyaki Way is set to be undertaken.
Two more bus routes will be designed to terminate at Bomas and Ruaka town through Lang’ata and Limuru roads respectively.
There will also be an eight-kilometer train service connecting the Nairobi Railway Station and Dagoretti Corner and an additional rail service connecting Nairobi to Ruai, Kasarani, Westlands and Kayole.
Long-distance public vehicles will not be allowed into the city center. Matatus, except for only a few, will be banned from operating from within the city center.
Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NAMATA) has been charged with overseeing the implementation of the project in conjunction with other Ministries, Nairobi County Government and neighboring devolve units.
