NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 30 – The Nairobi City Council has suspended a directive barring Passenger Service Vehicles (PSVs) from the Central Business District.
Matatu Welfare Association Chairman Dickson Mbugua said the move to relocate PSVs to Westlands and Kariokor Bus termini in an effort to decongest traffic in the CBD had been shelved to allow more consultation.
"The order was reversed temporarily after a meeting on Thursday last week between the City Council and stakeholders mainly because of space in the said termini," he said.
Mr Mbugua said City Hall is expected to ensure proper structures are put up in place before the order is implemented.
"Kariokor is a very small stage which cannot even fit 20 Matatus. Westland’s can also no manage vehicular traffic from that end," he said.
Mr Mbugua said they have advised City Hall to ensure PSVs terminate their journeys near the city centre.
"They should look into areas that are just bordering the CBD like Globe round about. From there, you do not have to burn a lot of calories walking to the heart of the city," he emphasised.
The MOA has also urged the government to implement the park and ride system to reduce traffic congestion in the CBD.
"In this method, privately owned vehicles are parked in designated parking lots out side the CBD and their occupants then access the city centre using PSVs," he detailed.
Mr Mbugua said that the method once adopted will make transportation more comfortable and convenient for Kenyans.
"Vehicle whose presence in the CBD is not mandatory should be parked at the major corridor parks that the City Council should be able to establish," he said.
He said it was also time that parking fee in Nairobi was increased significantly.
"The CBD will be decongested because you will only have a specific number of essential service vehicles and motorists who can afford the parking," he explained.
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