New rules for PSVs to use the expressway have been issued. Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) have now been given the green light to ferry passengers through the expressway. Moja Expressway, the firm managing the Nairobi expressway, which runs from Mlolongo to Westlands has issued the statement regarding Matatus (PSVs) traveling on the road.
The statement gives conditions to PSV drivers articulating that they are allowed to use the road provided that they do not pick up and/or drop off passengers along the road.
This means that as soon as passengers board vehicles from Nairobi, they get off the PSV after the last stop which is Mlolongo, and vice versa. The parent firm explained that they had decided to allow PSVs to use the Sh. 300 Billion road, in a bid to reduce traffic congestion on the old Mombasa road.
Kenyans have strongly debated the viability and necessity of PSVs accessing the road as many thought that PSVs transport more people compared to personal vehicles. This prompted Moja Expressway to release the statement, a day after some PSVs were filmed using the 27km road.
“I believe that Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), including matatus, should be given a priority on the expressway. Buses to and from Mombasa should also be on it. They carry more people compared to private cars,” commented one Kenyan.
“PSVs can use the Nairobi Expressway, they are just not allowed to drop off and pick up passengers,” replied Moja Expressway.
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The PSVs will be required to pay 4 times as much as the saloon cars pay to use the roads. The saloon cars pay between Kshs. 120 to Kshs. 360 depending on their exit points.
Transport Principal Secretary Paul Maringa stated that some motorists refused to pay at the exit tolls as they claimed they were too broke to do so, which lead to a traffic pile-up on the much-coveted road.
The PS and the National Assembly Transport, Housing and Public works committee decided to introduce a cashless means of payment for the roads, as they heavily discourage cash payment.
“We discourage using cash payment because some people carry less money and start arguing at the payment point while others waste time as they wait for change. This is why we are encouraging everyone to use cards. It takes three seconds to use a card while it takes 45 seconds to use other modes of payment such as credit cards. It takes even longer when paying with cash,” Paul Maringa stated.
