DT Dobie sales and marketing director Alexander Helfritz told the Business Daily that the firm had so far sold 30 buses in the Kenyan market, including six units bought by public transport firm Citi Hoppa Limited.
The firm unveiled its new Citi Hoppa Next brand last Friday with the new buses now plying the Mombasa Road, Lang’ata and Ngong routes.
DT Dobie’s launch of the two new public transport vehicle models comes in the wake of the much-hyped Nairobi Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plan designed to streamline the matatu sector and solve Nairobi’s traffic gridlock.
Motor dealer DT Dobie is set to churn out an additional 50 buses in the next six months as it intensifies its foray into the public transport industry, bringing competition to the doorstep of Isuzu East Africa that has dominated the market over the years.
DT Dobie sales and marketing director Alexander Helfritz told the Business Daily that the firm had so far sold 30 buses in the Kenyan market, including six units bought by public transport firm Citi Hoppa Limited.
The firm unveiled its new Citi Hoppa Next brand last Friday with the new buses now plying the Mombasa Road, Lang’ata and Ngong routes.
The 41-seater MB 917 Mercedes model Citi Hoppa purchased retails from Sh5.4 million.
The auto dealer has also unveiled the larger passenger bus in the market that has the capacity to ferry up to 67 passengers whose purchase price starts at Sh12.5 million.
“Depending on the needs of the customer, they can have a body built to accommodate a specific number of passengers. The MB 917 model can be built to carry 33 or 41 passengers and the MB1730 bus can be tailored to carry 44, 48 or 67 passengers,” said Mr Helfritz.
The dealer’s venture into the space comes as the government plans to phase out 14-seater matatus in favour of PSVs carrying 25 people and above.
“Our interest in the local public transport businesses is inspired by the idea of bringing change into the market. We come with a promise of safe and comfortable travel for the passengers and fuel efficiency and reliability to fleet owners.”
Mr Helfritz said the full cost of the passenger buses varies since body specifications of various public transport saccos differ.
In a statement, Citi Hoppa said its new buses, which are set to charge Sh80 flat rate fare, was geared towards providing passengers with comfort and reliability, especially for those who would use private means to town.
DT Dobie’s launch of the two new public transport vehicle models comes in the wake of the much-hyped Nairobi Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plan designed to streamline the matatu sector and solve Nairobi’s traffic gridlock. At their optimum capacity, the BRT corridors are expected to hold up to 950 high-capacity buses, reducing travel time and cost by up to 70 per cent, according to Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia.
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