The National Youth Service (NYS) have announced that they will deploy atleast 27 buses for Nairobi commuters who occasionally get stranded on their bus stops.
The move will be rolled out in courtesy of heavy rains which has even worsened the situation.
The news were broken by NYS Director General Richard Ndubai who added that the commuters will be charged a fixed rate of sh.20 without regarding the distance of the route.
We have witnessed people in Nairobi walking long distances in the rain and most of the time due to high fares charged by commuter vehicles. We shall do the much we can to alleviate the suffering,” he said.
Mr.Ndubai also noted that the buses will operate along the routes which head to most populated areas which are prone to hiked fares.
“This decision has also been made to save commuters from the high fares charged by public commuter vehicles during this season,” Mr. Ndubai said.
https://twitter.com/DG_Ndubai/status/976803661140635650
The routes include
- Kibera
- Githurai
- Mwiki
- Mukuru kwa Njenga
- Dandora
- Kariobangi
- Kawangware
A spot check reals that the buses are already operating in the routes they have been allocated
https://twitter.com/DG_Ndubai/status/977077540933292033.
Led by their chair Simon Kimutai, Matatu has harshly received the news adding that they will frustrate them until the deal fails.
Tuko Tayari kuwahudumia. NYS buses are now helping alleviate the commuter crisis during this rainy season. At a flat fare rate of Ksh.50 you are home and dry. #NYSBusFareNa50 pic.twitter.com/nu4fZYBapM
— Lillian Mbogo (@mbogo_lillian) March 23, 2018
We heard your plea and took action! Now #NYSBusFareNa20. Commuters will now pay a reduced flat rate fare of Ksh.20 from Ksh.50 during peak hours. NYS Tayari kufanya Kazi. #NYSBusFareNa20 pic.twitter.com/fKZb8vY8tq
— Lillian Mbogo (@mbogo_lillian) March 24, 2018
Advantages of Using NYS buses
- They are the cheapest buses to commute with as they are charging just sh.20 which is a flat rate across al destinations
- The buses are very luxury
- There is law and order in the buses
- Security is guaranteed
- No bedbugs in the buses which are clean and well maintained
- No windy and violent touts who even run away with your balance
- The NYS buses are not prone to accidents as compared to Matatus
- NYS buses are well driven with an ethical crew members from NYS section
- Your destination is guaranteed as it is not like Matatus who might turn along the way
- No fare hike , and time saving coaches since they get more passengers on board as a result of their low fare rates
Disadvantages
- They are prone to traffic snarl-ups unlike Matatus which know low traffic jam routes
- The buses are limited, Only 27 coaches available fir more than 5 million Nairobians
- The buses are not a sure bet, they might be pulled off from the roads anytime
- No source of entertainment in the buses while Matatus have got plenty
- NYS did not go through NTSA verification in order to start operating as PSVs
- The drivers of the buses might not be well versed with your routes, hence end up messing your day
- The coaches strict route order might not be ideal for your nearest alighting or destination place as compared to Matatus which can drop you anywhere
- NYS has no experience on how to operate PSVs or commuter business
- The whole project looks more of a political mileage
- Their move has created a conflict between NTSA, NYS and Matatu Owners Association
- NYS which is owned by government according to the law should give free help and services to the Nation, that is why it is called NYS. Yet they are charging. If it was a rescue it should be absolutely free
- The move is a knee-jerk reaction by the government to cover up poor status of governance in Nairobi county
