Ban on multicoloured and 14-seater public transport vehicles lifted

President Kenyatta on Wednesday reversed an order issued by the Kibaki government to phase out 14-seater matatus in a bid to bring back order in the public transport sector.

Speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi where he launched the cashless payment system for matatus, the President said he had lifted the planned ban.

“After wide consultations, it has become clear that a ban may not be appropriate at this time,” said the President.

The order was issued in 2010 by Transport minister Amos Kimunya with the intention of encouraging transporters to buy buses in a bid to deal with the traffic congestion in cities and towns across the country.

NATURAL DEATH

According to the plan, the Ministry of Transport, through the Transport Licensing Board, was to discontinue permits for the 14-seater matatus starting January 2011.

This would mark the onset of the “natural death” process of gradually phasing out the means of transport.

The decision was arrived at after a study carried out by the Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research Analysis — the government think tank — and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance which shows that congestion accounts for unnecessary delays which have a negative impact on the productivity of a nation.

The effects were felt in 2011, when the number of 14-seaters registered declined to 451 vehicles from 3,600 in 2010 before plummeting further to only 78 in 2012, in what was said to be the last nail on the coffin of the 14-seater PSVs.

However, in 2013, the number rose by 201 per cent with 235 new 14-seaters being registered according to the 2014 Economic Survey.

The government had by then given indications that it would reverse the Kimunya order.

Mr Kenyatta also reversed another order issued by former Transport minister John Michuki requiring all public transport vehicles to only wear a one-colour uniform.

“I personally do not see anything wrong with the artwork and creativity in matatu’s and we should surely support our youth to do business with their talents, as long as it does not interfere with the driver’s vision and other regulations,” said the President.

He, however, told the owners and crews to comply with the stringent transport rules introduced to streamline the matatu industry.

The President also said the new system should not be burdensome to travellers.

“This ban will not be implemented to ensure that owners continue to invest in new, road-worthy and therefore, safer transport for rural and long distance routes.

“In turn I expect the industry to comply with my government’s efforts to reduce congestion in cities like Nairobi and Mombasa. Regulations must evolve in tandem with social change,” the President said.

The ban has been in place since the beginning of the year although the owners have been seeking its lifting.

'COMPETING WITH UNLICENSED VEHICLES'

Matatu Owners Association chairman Simon Kimutai had earlier asked the President to reconsider the ban, saying it had stunted the industry and led to loss of jobs.

“Right now you will find Toyota Proboxes and other models like Toyota Noah being used to ferry people despite them not having licence. Not many people can afford to buy bigger capacity PSVs especially in the countryside.

“We are asking the President to reconsider the ban because we are now competing with unlicensed vehicles in rural areas,” said Mr Kimutai.

The cashless payment system launched on Wednesday will see passengers issued with electronic cards to use in paying fares instead of cash.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau said it was important to launch the system in order to identify its weaknesses early and deal with them to make it more efficient and reliable.

He also said the ministry was investing in a system in Nairobi to help deal with jams.

“We are investing in a bus system that we hope will address the issue of traffic jams… It was difficult to explain the cashless system without having it used by commuters,” Mr Kamau said.

The President travelled by a mini-bus using the cashless system from State House accompanied by Mr Kamau and Safaricom chief executive Bob Collymore.

The Matatu Owners Association will distribute “My 1963 Card” in collaboration with Safaricom.

Other cards already available include Bebapay and Pepea.