Nai≥obi plans expansion of u≥ban t≥anspo≥t netwo≥k
By ALLAN OLINGO
The EastAfrican
NAIROBI IS planning to ex- pand and upgrade its urban transport system if a $4 mil- lion budgetary proposal is adopted in the next finan- cial year. The upgrade will include a bus tram service, new roads and railway lines linking the city to a number of satellite towns.
Last November, the direc- tor-general of public debt management at the Treasury, Jackson Kinyanjui, accepted the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure proposal for the allocation of the $4 million for the construction of a Mass Rapid Transit Sys- tem (MRTS). The project will involve the construction of a commuter railway line along Outer Ring, Jogoo, Mombasa, Limuru, Lang’ata, and Ngong Roads and the Waiyaki Way corridor.
“We are pleased to in- form you that Treasury has accepted the implementa- tion of the project. We are looking forward to smooth implementation,” Mr Kin- yanjui’s letter to Transport Permanent Secretary John Mosonik, copied to Nairo- bi Governor Evans Kidero, reads.
The Nairobi county execu- tive in charge of road and infrastructure, Mohammed Abdulahi, said they are now awaiting the allocation in the budget reading early next month.
embark on its implementa- tion,” Mr Mohammed said.
Kenya Railways Corpora- tion (KRC) is also seeking to upgrade its infrastructure in Nairobi by 2018, at a cost of $50 million.
KRC managing director Atanas Maina said they have started upgrading Ruiru sta- tion, with 20 other stations to be built or rehabilitated in Nairobi under a public pri- vate partnership.
“We have completed and tendered designs for another five stations. We expect to announce the winning ten- ders and start construction,” Mr Maina said.
Dagoretti, Kibera, Kikuyu, Dtonholm, Kahawa, Githurai and Lukenya are to get new stations.
Park and ride
Currently, Rift Valley Rail- ways (RVR) operates the city’s train transport system under a one year concession. The company introduced
the “park and ride” service to Syokimau, Makadara and Imara Daima residents.
RVR charges Ksh200 ($2) for a return trip that includes eight hour parking for the
20 kilometre train ride from Syokimau, while those from the two other stations pay Ksh150 ($1.47). The wagons, which have been rehabilitat- ed allow for standing passen- gers, and are popular in the morning and evening when traffic is at its peak.
seeks to harmonise urban transport through the rail- way network.
“The masterplan proposes radial roads that will replace the interlink roads in the city. It proposes a railway to revamp Nairobi’s CBD by us- ing the existing Kenya Rail- ways land, and re-planning it for new developments,” Mr Odongo said.
Two years ago, the Nai- robi county roads taskforce proposed that public service vehicles be barred from ac- cessing the city centre. In its proposals, a satellite termi- nus was to be built at Globe Cinema roundabout in the city’s north, the Nyayo Stadi- um roundabout in the south, and stations at Uhuru Park and Ngong road in the west of the city.
The plan also proposed the creation of dedicated bus routes and lanes for public service vehicles that would be allowed into the city cen- tre, and the construction of
a rapid bus transit system to be used exclusively by special buses that would charge low- er rates than other passenger service vehicles.
The project, under the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, would have seen the construction of an eight-kilometre tram serv- ice connecting the Nairobi Railway Station with Ruai, Dagoretti Corner, Westlands, Kasarani and Kayole areas. However, nothing has been implemented on the propos- als due to lack of funding and space to construct and expand these roads.
Kigali buses ≥educe congestion in city
By EDMUND KAGIRE
Special Correspondent
IN AUGUST 2013, the City of Kigali announced a new pub- lic transportation plan aimed at streamlining the sector, reducing congestion and in- creasing efficiency and speed. At the time, city authori-
ties and the Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority (RURA) said the reforms were aimed at improving public transpor- tation as the city’s popula- tion was increasing at a rapid rate.
Under the new plan, Kigali City was divided into four exclusive public transport zones that were allocated to successful bidders through an open competitive bidding process. The winning com- panies or co-operatives were given a five-year licence to run the routes.
Kigali Bus Service (KBS), was awarded Zone I, which covered the city’s major sub- urbs of Remera, Kanombe, Kabeza, Nyarugunga, Ruso- roro, Masaka, and Ndera.
Royal Express Ltd was tasked to operate in Zone II covering Niboye, Kicukiro (Sonatubes, Centre), Ga- hanga, Gatenga, Gikondo and Kigarama, while the Rwanda Federation of Transport Co- operatives (RFTC) was given Zone III, covering Kimironko, Kinyinya, Gisozi, Kacyiru, New Gakinjiro, Batsinda, Kibagabaga, Kimihurura and Nyarutarama.
The Rwanda Federation of Transport Co-operatives (RFTC) was accorded Zone IV, covering Kimisagara, Nyakabanda, Nyamirambo, Mageragere, Kigali, Gatsata, Karuruma, Jabana and Nya- cyonga.
ploy enough buses to run the routes.
Three years down the road, city officials say the reformed public transport system has become efficient, though a few challenges remain.
The operating companies have acquired more buses but increased traffic on the roads remains a key challenge.
“The City of Kigali has been and continues to work on alternative roads to re- duce traffic on main roads especially during peak hours. Most of the roads have al- ready been earmarked and will be completed in the 2016/17 financial year,” said Kigali Mayor Monique Mu- karuliza.
Public transport companies say the increasing traffic on city roads is a major concern that could lead to operating losses as buses spend long hours in traffic jams, while
it also exposes them to pos- sible fines by RURA for not operating within the sched- uled time.
“A bus is supposed to be at a bus stop every five minutes. This becomes difficult if you are stuck in a jam. If RURA inspectors find that this rule is not being observed, they fine the operator,” said Jean Marie Vianney Mukiza, a bus driver.
In February, the City of Ki- gali introduced an e-fare pay- ment system for public trans- port users on selected city routes, like the Kanombe-Ki- gali route, as the city sought to move on from cash pay- ments.
Initially, the city had said it would phase out cash pay- ments on public buses, but the move was not fully sup- ported as operators said it would be difficult to im- plement. Under the same initiative, the government introduced the Internet Bus Project in February, which is aimed at providing pas- sengers with access to high speed 4G LTE Internet.