Kenya Govt Allocates Sh500m to Test the BRT System

Angeline by Angeline May 24, 2018 in Kenyan News Nairobi BRT To be Functional by December 2018 – KEPSA Proposes The Kenyan government has allocated Sh500 million to facilitate the pilot phase of the bus rapid transit system (BRT) as it looks for private investors. The Ministry of Transport is currently negotiating a deal with a South African firm to obtain thirty 100 to 160 capacity buses to reduce traffic in Nairobi. According to James Macharia, the ministry’s cabinet secretary, the buses could be rolled out by the end of next month if negotiations are finalised this week. “We chose South Africa because those buses were ready and it’s quite near. So upon completion of the negotiations, which we will be having this week, we anticipate that after payment they should come within a week or two,” Mr Macharia said. Curbing Traffic Congestion in the City The BRT system will reduce traffic congestion in Nairobi while enhancing public transportation. Special lanes have already been marked on Thika Road for the testing phase. At first, the National Youth Service (NYS) will run the BRT until the collaboration between the government and the private sector is running smoothly. Mr Macharia said the government will form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to work with matatu owners and vehicle assemblers. The SPV will own and run the project. “We expect the private sector to also get involved and they have looked at a number of options. Samuel Kimutai (MOA chairman) and his group have been to India and have identified some buses which will come into this SPV, for which government and the private sector will work out modalities on how that operation will be run,” he said. The Treasury is expected to exempt the importation of these buses from tax and duty to ensure low fares. However, stakeholders are yet to decide on the fare structure. “At the end of the day, we would want this benefit to be passed to the mwananchi. One of the biggest complaints we have had is the exploitation by people in the transport sector,” Mr Machaira stated.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kubota RTV-X900 delivers deep underground

Image
[Johannesburg, 30 May 2017]: With a rich founding history of gold and diamond mining, South Africa remains a leader in deep underground mining as well as safety in this arena, making the transfer of equipment and goods underground a task with little margin for error. Enter the Kubota RTV-X900. While the tasks involved in a successful mining operation are manifold, one of these is being able to move equipment, technicians and supplies from the shafts to the rock face; everything inside these tunnels must be brought from the surface. Due to the layout of a deep level mine, which could include many hundreds of kilometres of tunneling fanning out from the shafts and leading to the surface, this transfer is hugely complex and potentially very hazardous. In years past, the task of transporting goods from the surface underground and vice versa was carried out using a ‘cage’, from which the mining paraphernalia would either be physically carried or transported by wheeled trolleys to its po...
Read more

SKF Ultrasonic leak detector - Quick and easy detection of air leaks TKSU 10

Image
The SKF TKSU 10 is an ultrasonic leak detector that helps users to quickly find leakages in compressed air or vacuum systems. The instrument is very simple to use and features adjustable sensitivity and intuitive guidance for superior leak detection results. Any compressed air system can experience leaks, which amplify the load on compressors and increase costs. The TKSU 10 helps users to easily find leaks from a distance, even in noisy industrial environments, via its ultrasound measurement sensor. The built-in LED display assists the user in adjusting sensitivity and shows the measured ultrasound noise from leaking air, allowing the quantification of leaks and prioritisation of repairs. It is easy to use and no training is required. The leak detection can be done from a distance in noisy industrial environments. The colour LED display assists in adjusting sensitivity settings and shows measurement values. The unit reduces energy and maintenance costs via leak identification an...
Read more

Atlas Copco and Skills Development Corporation giving hope to the disabled

Image
In a bid to contribute to the much-needed skills development and work experience of disabled people, Atlas Copco South Africa partnered with the Skills Development Corporation (SDC) 12 months ago on 4 April 2017. Atlas Copco recognises the daily challenges the disabled face both in their private lives as well as in the business world. The 12-month initiative gave a number of leaners aged between 20 and 28 the opportunity to receive skills development while simultaneously obtaining valuable experience in the work place. The learning programme, hosted at Atlas Copco House in Jet Park, Boksburg, offered learners practical work experience from Monday to Thursday; every Friday learners attended lectures in General Business Management conducted by SDC Facilitator, Nozibusiso Nkosi. “We take pride in working with our future generation, teaching them the fundamental ins and outs of a corporate setting and at the same time boost their self-esteem and much needed confidence to pursue their ca...
Read more