Nakuru matatu shuttle wins top annual road safety award

A celebrated matatu company in Nakuru with female crew has been feted as the best fleet shuttle in the country.

Prestige Shuttles Tours and Travels company whose female crew dress like air hostesses won the 2019 Road Safety Award as the leading fleet shuttle operator of the year.

The event which was graced by the Deputy President William Ruto was held at the Weston hotel in Nairobi on August 30.

While thanking the event organisers, Prestige Shuttles Director Steve Muli said they have strived to change the perception of the public about matatus.

CHANGING MIND-SET

“This shows that our efforts in changing the old mindset in the matatu industry is slowly bearing fruit and recognition. This award will serve as a motivation to us to continue improving our services to the satisfaction of our clients.,” said Mr Muli.

The annual awards which are organised by the Safety Plus Consulting Limited, formerly the National Road Safety Agency, are held to recognise the institutions that contribute to road transport safety awareness.

Other winners in other categories were Easy Coach winning the Best Bus Company of the Year Award, BuuPas -  leading institution on road safety innovation, Maxxis - safest tyre of the year and Dakawou transporters - leading road safety transporter of the year.

NIC Bank won the leading asset finance provider while DT Dobie won the best bus built on dedicated bus chases category among other winners.

Mr Alfayo Otuke, the event's CEO, said the objective is to appreciate the efforts put by the institutions in a bid to improve transport operations in the country.

COMPETITION PARAMETERS

“Before settling on the winner we consider a number of parameters which range from the operations, company innovations systems such as the Information communication technology that enable efficiency, accident ratings which we verify with the regulator among other things,” said Mr Otuke.

Prestige Shuttles prides itself in superb customer service offered by their smartly dressed female touts in uniforms.

Among other things the shuttle does include praying for the passengers at the start of the journey, keeping record of customer details as well as the ICT systems that monitor their vehicles.

Mr Muli who is also the chairman of the Rift Valley Matatu Owners Association urged all stake holders to work towards improving their services to give the industry a different perception.

“Matatu business should be run just like any other business where the interest of the customers has to be given priority,” said Mr Muli