Public service vehicles on a Nairobi street. The number of high occupancy commuter vehicles has increased substantially following a government directive not to register 14-seater vans. Photo/Diana Ngila
What you need to know:
Matatu Welfare Association chairman Dickson Mbugua said there is a 25 per cent decline in the number of “Nissan” vans plying various routes since the government directive not to register 14-seater vans as Public Service Vehicles (PSVs). was issued in 2011, a fact supported by the registrar.
The decline has also been forced by lack of spare parts.
High occupancy vehicles have increased competition in the commuter services sector by offering comfort and cheaper fares compared to the 14- seaters.
The number of high-capacity commuter vehicles has increased substantially following a government directive not to register 14-seater vans as Public Service Vehicles (PSVs).
Matatu Welfare Association chairman Dickson Mbugua said there is a 25 per cent decline in the number of “Nissan” vans plying various routes since the directive was issued in 2011, a fact supported by the registrar.
“We have registered very few of them, a move that has pushed up the number of the high-capacity vehicles,” said the Registrar of Motor Vehicles Francis Meja.
The decline has also been forced by lack of spare parts.
Matatus that had already been licensed are still on the roads until they are retired for wear and tear. Many of them operate short distances during rush hours but avoid areas with police presence where they can be impounded for being unroadworthy.
Statistics from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) indicate that in 2012, the number of buses went up by more than 600 compared to 2009 when 1,099 vehicles were registered.
High occupancy vehicles have increased competition in the commuter services sector by offering comfort and cheaper fares compared to the 14- seaters.
Traffic Licensing Board (TLB) Chairman Joseph Thuo says the government may leave matatus to operate in rural areas and other small towns.
“High occupancy vehicles cannot work effectively in rural areas, or even small towns, that is why the government is considering letting them operate in those areas,” says Mr Thuo.
Mr Mbugua said 1,500 14 seater vehicles were last year registered as PSVs under special circumstances following lobbying from the association. Mr Meja said no 14-seaters were being registered now as PSVs.
But importers can still bring the vehicles for other uses. n 2012, the number of buses went up by more than 600 compared to 2009 when 1,099 vehicles were registered.
