City bus project set for roll-out after Cabinet nod

Construction of BRT control room and parking lot at Kasarani BRT Centre. [File, Standard]

The government is seeking to solve transportation challenges in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, following the Cabinet's approval to implement the Clean Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

According to the Cabinet, the Clean Core BRT Line 3 will enhance public transport reliability and infrastructure efficiency, in addition to ensuring predictable fares during low and peak hours.

The State House dispatch explained that the first phase covers 12.4 kilometres from Kenyatta National Hospital to Dandora, with future extensions planned for Ngong Town and Tala. "By 2035, Core line 3 is projected to transport 357,000 passengers daily using electric buses," the Cabinet resolved.

The Cabinet has also stated that the system will feature cashless fare collections, real time passenger information, GPS based vehicle tracking and park-and-ride facilities.

"Managed by the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA), this initiative represents a significant step towards sustainable and efficient public transportation for the metropolitan region," the Cabinet said.

On Jamhuri Day, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja outlined plans to rehabilitate roads and implement a revolutionary BRT system to ease the city's traffic congestion.

He said there will be significant improvement to the city's transport system, as the county seeks to partner with National Government and international institutions.

"At the beginning of next year, we shall see a change on our roads. We are rehabilitating roads in Nairobi in partnership with the National Government and want to assure Nairobians, there will be a change in January," he said.

The county also announced a financing milestone for the public transport system following approval of 320 million pounds for the Clean Core BRT Line 3 by the European Investment Bank (EIB), French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Union (EU).

Sakaja met a delegation from the funding partners last Wednesday, where he described the project as a transformative step towards easing traffic congestion and promoting eco-friendly urban mobility in Nairobi.

The approval came after months of negotiations between Nairobi county and development partners.

Already, preliminary designs and feasibility studies for the BRT project have been completed, with construction expected to start early next year.

"The funding represents a significant boost to Nairobi's transportation infrastructure. Our partners - the EIB, AFD and EU have approved 320 million Euros(Sh43.4 billion) financing for the Clean Core BRT Line 3," he said.

The county also stated that the first phase of the project will see construction of a 12 kilometer route traversing the city from Dandora to KNH along Juja Road.

The second phase will extend the network further to connect Tala to Dandora in the East and KNH to Ngong in the West.

"The Clean Core BR system is designed to provide an efficient, reliable and sustainable public transport alternative for Nairobi residents, with electric buses at its core. The initiative aligns the country's broader goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing the quality of urban life," he said.