E-ticketing deadline won’t change
Beba Card. One of the cashless ticketing systems on display on April 8, 2014. The December 1 deadline for Public Service Vehicle operators to install the cashless ticketing system will not be extended. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA
What you need to know:
- “Those who were involved in the pilot project and those who have so far embraced the cashless system in Nairobi are already reaping the benefits,” Mr Muya said.
- There six approved service providers are Family Bank, Safaricom, Co-operative Bank, Equity Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank.
- However, Mr Muya told the operators not to blame the government since they bought the 14-seater vehicles even after they had been warned against them.
The December 1 deadline for Public Service Vehicle operators to install the cashless ticketing system will not be extended.
National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) head of licensing John Muya said those who will not have complied will lose their licenses.
Mr Muya urged matatu operators to install the system in good time to avoid the last-minute rush.
“The Central Bank of Kenya and the chosen service providers have already agreed on an implementation policy for the system,” he said.
Mr Muya was addressing PSV operators at St Mary’s Pastoral Centre, Nakuru where they were taught how to operate e-ticketing machines.
There six approved service providers are Family Bank, Safaricom, Co-operative Bank, Equity Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank.
“Those who were involved in the pilot project and those who have so far embraced the cashless system in Nairobi are already reaping the benefits,” Mr Muya said.
He said the government may consider licensing low capacity (14-seater) vehicles for long distance operations after deliberations.
Mr Muya told them deliberations were on how to deal with the low capacity public transport vehicles.
The transporters accused the government of refusing to licence their new matatus for the last two years.
They said they are incurring massive losses through wear and tear because they are forced to use old vehicles after the government declined to certify the new ones.
SERVICING LOANS
“It is unfair that we have been forced to use old vehicles yet new ones are wasting away in their garages. The government should consider licensing them,” Central Rift Matatu Association chairman Stephen Muli said.
“We are servicing loans we used to buy them, yet the vehicles are not in use because of licenses,”
However, Mr Muya told the operators not to blame the government since they bought the 14-seater vehicles even after they had been warned against them.
He said NTSA will continue holding regular training workshops on road safety for PSV operators and their crews to enhance sanity on the roads.
In the workshops, matatu operators will be given a chance to interact with speed governor suppliers and other players in the sector.
The electronic ticketing system was introduced to counter cartels in the sector at the same time restoring investor confidence. The system also seeks to end the touting menace and loss of revenue for operators.
The initial deadline for adopting the cashless fare system was July 1. It was moved to December 1 as most operators had not installed the gadgets.
Provisions on e-ticketing are contained in the new PSV regulations gazetted in February and aimed at curbing road accidents.
The new draft regulations are aimed at locking out individuals from owning matatus and encourage fleet management by saccos.
