Boost for assembly firms with entry of high capacity buses

A new market has opened for local vehicle assemblers after the government approved use of double-decker buses and other high-capacity vehicles to provide public transport in major towns.

Transport secretary Michael Kamau on Friday said he would gazette a law guiding operation of the buses before Christmas to boost adoption by operators.

The lack of regulations had hampered introduction of the buses following the collapse of Kenya Bus double-deckers several years ago. This is part of a wider strategy to reduce the number of buses on the roads.

Mr Kamau said the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) had developed design rules of the high capacity buses, ushering in new opportunities for assemblers who have previously focused on lower-capacity buses.

“The use of these buses is in line with the government’s policy of encouraging high capacity vehicles in major towns,” said Mr Kamau.

On Friday, the City Shuttle became the first operator to unveil its double-decker and high-capacity buses with space for standing passengers.

The Isuzu buses have a capacity of 100 commuters and were assembled by General Motors East Africa (GMEA).

The GMEA managing director Rita Kavashe said they had met Kebs specifications in readiness for future orders. The government is keen to revive use of high capacity buses to reduce snarl-up in the city centre that results in man-hour loss and fuel wastage.

READ: City Shuttle introduces high-capacity buses in Nairobi

A study by IBM Corporation in 2012 revealed that Kenya loses Sh50 million a day due to time wasted on congested roads.

There has been a preference for local assembly by Kenya Vehicle Manufacturer, Associated Vehicle Assemblers, GMEA and Toyota due to lower levies.

Imports of parts used in local assembly are exempted from the 25 per cent import duty levied on fully built cars — giving room to the assemblers to produce cheaper vehicles.

Kenya is racing to develop a new mass rapid transport system that will integrate rapid bus transit and commuter rail systems.

The bus system entails the expansion of major city roads, including Juja, Jogoo, Outer Ring and Ngong roads that will see the creation of special bus lanes.

Only buses with a minimum capacity of 73 passengers will be allowed to use the special lanes.

Attempts by the county government to unveil a fleet of buses to offer scheduled commuter service have been shelved after allegations of corruption emerged.