New Nairobi BRT Fares Spark Backlash

Proposed bus fares announced by the Nairobi Metropolitan Authority (NAMATA) have a section of Kenyans up in arms.

The fares are for the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system intended to decongest the city. The system is set for a pilot on the 27km Kasarani-Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) line in July 2022, with more BRT corridors cutting across the city then to be unveiled.

Relevant markings are already in place along Thika Road.

Notably, the BRT system will be cashless and customers will be expected to pay via special cards. The cards will be loaded with points payable via mobile money or approved dealers.

It will cost Ksh150 for a ride on the BRT route from Kasarani to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) during the pilot stage.

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It currently costs Ksh120 to cover the same route Public Service Vehicles (PSV). One also needs to board two different vehicles.

Numerous Kenyans on social media argued that Ksh150 for the one-way trip was too expensive for many commuters – observing that it could cost them as much as Ksh300 per day in a city dealing with the pinch of the high cost of living and effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

They called on NAMATA to lower rates to encourage adoption of the service.

NAMATA had, however, noted that the Ksh150 fare was a fixed price for duration of the pilot phase. A distance-based zoning system will ultimately be used to determine BRT fares.

“In the pilot, the fare will be standard. However, the fare policy for the system will be in zones which are distance-based,” stated Namata Acting Director General Francis Gitau.

Although many Kenyans online slammed the fares, a section backed the introduction of BRT as a solution to Nairobi’s congestion woes.

Sample the reactions;

“Are these people normal or this country is run by mad men? Is BRT for the rich only? So the rich will have their roads like the expressway and BRT yet public land belongs to all Kenyans where the roads are constructed on? Kenya is a scam,” wrote Cornel Muigai.

“They will get many many customers, most Thika road matatus/mini buses have loud music and rude crew members chewing green cud.I will not mention but most are blue and look like battle tanks. BRT will serve many clients who want peace of mind and convenience,” argued Twitter user Greeninterior10.

“Good idea but the price point is unrealistic. Matatus from KU to town are 50 – 100 bob max. 150 won’t work for most residents. A guy from Githurai who uses Paradiso buses pays 20 bob during off peak. So now you ask them to pay 150? Naaah ! This is not well thought through,” shared Cherotich.

“Costs should be adjusted according to location of pickup and dropping. Even Thika to Nairobi is not 150 shs using the matatu. Or do they have the target audience for the BRT buses? Because these costs are not affordable to common mwananchi,” shared Valentine.

“Pilot phase ? What we are testing the market ? Bring it down to kes 50!!! 150 kes clearly says that government will not ban matatus ! @SpokespersonGoK” posed Catherine Savy.

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