SWVL Kenya today announced that in alignment with the government’s encouragement for people to stay at home as much as possible except on essential business, the company is operating “must-have routes”. The Kenyan company is limiting its normal operations but ensuring it will provide services to cover the areas where there is the most demand for necessary commutes during this time of crisis.
SWVL Kenya will offer commuters on these essential routes free rides during the crisis period. Commuters that must travel for essential work can use the free ride service by using the HERE4YOU promotional code and free rides will also be reflected in the SWVL app. SWVL has also adopted new measures to operate in line with the directives issued in regard to public transport.
SWVL Kenya General Manager, Dip Patel said, “As a Kenyan company, we want to ensure we are here to help and support our fellow Kenyans during this very difficult time for our country. We will continue to operate on as many high-traffic routes as possible, to enable people to shop for food supplies and continue other essential travel, particularly for those in critically needed jobs at this time. Users will receive a notification of these routes via our app. We support the measures being put in place by the government and encourage our users to stay home and avoid non-essential commuting when they can.”
The company also said it will do everything it can to help support the Government, particularly the Ministry of Health, during this time of crisis.
In accordance with the directive to limit the number of passengers per vehicle, SWVL will cap each vehicle’s booking capacity at 60%. This will ensure that there will be enough space for social distancing in each vehicle and prevent crowding. Additionally, all vehicles are encouraged to maintain an open window policy to aid in decreasing the risk of contracting the virus on the commute and hand sanitizers will also be made available to bus operators for their passengers.
SWVL Kenya is urging commuters to make use of their in-app wallet, whenever needed, as a cashless payment option for their trips. They simply have to load money into their wallet through M-Pesa. This is so as to encourage cashless transactions and limit the exchange of physical currency.
SWVL Kenya remains committed to helping build a reliable, efficient and convenient mass transit system in the country. We also remain vigilant of the situation and will continue to employ the necessary measures to do our part in preventing the spread of the virus.