Bus firms cash in on passengers’ rush to upcountry
What you need to know:
- Mash East Africa Limited general manager Lennox Shalo told the Nation that they are fully booked until Christmas Day, and are releasing 17 buses on a daily basis to and from Nairobi. “Our buses to Dar es Salaam, Kitui, Kisumu, Malaba and Kampala are fully booked and our fares are still the same,” Mr Shalo said.
- Mombasa, Lamu and Kilifi counties have been rocked by killings and violent attacks on police and civilians in the recent past.
Major bus companies have recorded full bookings ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays as people travel to and from Mombasa.
Various bus firms operating on the Mombasa-Kisumu-Kampala route yesterday said their fleets were fully booked till December 27, “although passengers are not as many as last year”.
Spanish Coach Limited booking manager Yusen Wandabwa said: “The bookings have been good since Jamhuri Day celebrations. Business is picking up both in Nairobi and Mombasa. We are fully booked to December 23 and there are more people flocking in.”
The company is charging Sh2,500 for VIP and Sh1,800 for Business Class on its new bus, and Sh1,400 on the rest of the fleet.
Mash East Africa Limited general manager Lennox Shalo told the Nation that they are fully booked until Christmas Day, and are releasing 17 buses on a daily basis to and from Nairobi. “Our buses to Dar es Salaam, Kitui, Kisumu, Malaba and Kampala are fully booked and our fares are still the same,” Mr Shalo said.
DOWNWARD TREND
“However, business is not the same as last year. Insecurity, especially here at the Coast, has somehow contributed to the downward trend.”
Mombasa, Lamu and Kilifi counties have been rocked by killings and violent attacks on police and civilians in the recent past.
Modern Coast Express chief executive Archana Bhatt said business is not brisk this year although they have had very many passengers heading to Kisumu, Malaba and Kampala.
Tahmeed Coach Mombasa manager Suleiman Mohamed said that all their Busia- and Kisumu-bound buses are full up to December 27.
Mr Mohamed said they had increased their fares by Sh200 but passengers heading to Nairobi would pay the usual Sh1,400.