Companies

Egyptian firm grows mass transit routes in Nairobi

app

The app-based shuttle service allows users to book trips using their mobile devices. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Egyptian start-up SWVL has expanded its route offerings since its January debut in the city’s chaotic mass transport segment to include the populous metropolitans along Thika Road, Langata Road, Waiyaki Way, Ngong Road and Limuru Road.

The service, which began its pilot in Kenya last month with 26-seater buses on two routes, is competing with Little’s Shuttle offering.

The app-based shuttle service allows users to book trips using their mobile devices which notifies them of the nearest pick up point, price and pick up time by the bus.

The Egyptian Startup raised $8 million (about Sh802 million) in its series A funding and an undisclosed amount in Series B, allowing it to expand out of its native Egypt into African and Asian cities.

The app currently has five main lines in Nairobi which include return trips from Ruiru to the CBD/Upper Hill, Karen to CBD/Westlands via Upper Hill, Ongata Rongai to Westlands/CBD via Upper Hill, Ruiru to Westlands, Ndenderu to CBD/ Upper Hill, and Kikuyu to CBD/ Upper Hill. All routes have multiple stops listed, allowing users to select varied pick-up and drop-off points along the way. The app is currently charging a flat rate of Sh200 while offering discount codes for free rides in February pending introduction of dynamic pricing.

Little earlier in the month introduced its mass transport service dubbed Little Shuttle, plying the Kahawa Sukari to Westlands, Bomas to the CBD via Upper Hill, and Kinoo to South B routes. This was after the initial pilot in December from Kangemi to NextGen.

Little Shuttle allows riders to book a seat aboard its 33-seater minibuses at specific times, starting 6:45am on weekdays, with a frequency of every two hours.

The new services by the firms are targeted at riders who would otherwise use their personal cars to navigate the city with pricing being marginally higher than matatus.