Gov't to Launch New Company to Operate Nairobi’s Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT)

The government has announced plans to establish a company that will operate Nairobi's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said the company will have representation from both the private and public sector.

Macharia said the company will be tasked with operating the 64 high-capacity BRT buses to be acquired by the government.

“We are forming a special company to run and manage the buses. All stakeholders will be represented,” said Macharia.

The government is implementing the BRT system in Nairobi as part of its plan to decongest and improve the public transport system in the city.

The government said it will launch six BRT corridors in Nairobi including the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Likoni, James Gichuru-Rironi and Bomas to Ruiru roads.

Others include Ngong Road to Juja, Mama Lucy to T-Mall and Balozi to Imara roads.

When complete, the Transport Ministry said the corridors will hold up to 950 high-capacity buses, thus reducing travel time and cost by up to 70 percent.

Last week, CS Macharia said the government had opted to acquire half of the 64 bus rapid transit (BRT) vehicles from local assemblers as opposed to importing all of them from South Africa, as earlier planned.

The National Treasury allocated Sh5.53 billion towards the construction of special lanes dedicated for the BRT buses.