General Motors East Africa (GMEA) has launched a PSV consortium aimed at strengthening its partnership with the public transport industry and complement the governments’ policy to decongest the city centre by encouraging the use of higher capacity buses.
The launch was attended by 150 PSV owners and transport stakeholders. General Motors encouraged the PSV owners to take part in the ongoing government efforts to decongest and reduce traffic jams in the CBD through purchase of high capacity buses.
Government efforts to decongest CBD started in 2005. The initiative was meant to ensure that the sector was streamlined and formalised to meet the safety needs of passengers.
Through an initiative dubbed PSV Vision 2030, GMEA is leading a Public-Private Partnership to grow the industry from 14-seater to higher capacity buses, organise the industry from individual ownership to SACCOs and limited companies, and educate PSV owners on the benefits of using high capacity buses.
“PSVs with higher capacities would move a higher number of commuters compared to the 14-seaters hence improving efficiency in both vehicular and passenger traffic,” said Geoffrey Mulandi, General Manager, Sales & Marketing at GMEA.
Mr Mulandi added that the current initiative aims to strengthen SACCOs by coming up with Personal Accident insurance covers for Matatu crew and Asset financing products that are SACCO specific. “GMEA has played a key role in transforming the public transport sector through a Public Private Partnership with the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Cooperative Development and marketing, key financiers and insurance companies,” explained Geoffrey Mulandi.
Speaking at the event, Matatu Owners Association (MOA) Chairman Simon Kimutai called on SACCOs to take insurance covers that will cushion matatu crew in the event of accidents. “SACCOs should work with insurance companies and lenders to provide suitable medical covers and asset financing that will see Matatu crew well covered in the event of accidents, and also help individuals own their own high capacity buses,” said Mr. Kimutai.
