The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Commuters in Nairobi are now experiencing the first phase of a new public transport system trial—introducing scheduled bus departures and fixed fares, a model inspired by European cities’ transit networks.
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As part of this pilot, matatus on the designated routes no longer need to wait to fill up before leaving, offering more predictable and efficient travel.
The Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA) launched this initiative with the Route 111 pilot project, which aims to bring transformative change to daily commuting patterns in the city.
This trial follows shortly after the Nairobi Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project received a €320 million (Sh43.4 billion) funding boost from international partners to develop the Clean Core BRT Line 3.
Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar emphasized that the success of the Route 111 initiative depends on collaboration between the government and key players in the transport sector.
“This pilot shows that by working together, we can improve services for commuters and address the day-to-day challenges they face,” Daghar said.
Stakeholders in the industry have welcomed the structured system, noting that scheduled services eliminate the guesswork associated with matatus, while fixed fares provide cost clarity and reliability for passengers.
The BRT project gained fresh momentum in January after earlier attempts to launch the system faltered. The recent financing deal was secured through negotiations with the Nairobi County Government and supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the European Union (EU).
Phase one of the plan includes building a 12-kilometre BRT corridor from Dandora to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) via Juja Road. Subsequent phases aim to extend the line from Tala to Dandora and from KNH to Ngong.
In a separate but related effort, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) announced in September 2024 that it would develop the Sh7.3 billion BRT Line 5 along Outer Ring Road. Funded by the Korean Exim Bank in partnership with the South Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund, this 10.4-kilometre stretch will include features like dedicated bus lanes, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, CCTV surveillance, and automated enforcement systems.
However, controversy has surrounded the project due to restrictions that reportedly limit project implementation to South Korean firms.
All five BRT lines in Nairobi are part of a larger strategy under the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan, designed to tackle traffic congestion in the capital.
NaMATA has already gazetted the five BRT corridors, which are at varying stages of development:
– Line 1 (Ndovu): Limuru – Kangemi – CBD – Imara Daima – Athi River – Kitengela
– Line 2 (Simba): Rongai – Bomas – Lang’ata Road – CBD – Ruiru – Thika – Kenol
Line 2 is about 70% complete, with its rollout divided into two pilot phases. Phase one will run from Kasarani to KNH, while phase two will cover Ruiru to KNH.
This line will feature 13 stations with 24 platforms and a park-and-ride facility at Kasarani, allowing motorists to park their cars and continue their journey into the city using the BRT.
