Transport players and passengers have expressed mixed reactions over the Nairobi County proposal to instill discipline and restore sanity in the matatu sector.
The proposals include enforcing cashless payments, a requirement for passengers to line up in matatu stages and powers to county officials to control fares in the city.
“When six or more persons are waiting to enter any public service vehicle at the designated stopping place or terminus, shall form a queue and no person shall enter a public service vehicle or attempt to enter ahead of any person if in front of the line,” the draft reads in part.
Even so, once this becomes the law all matatu operators will be given a period of one year to shift from payment of fares using cash to cashless.
But some sector players argue that the regulations are punitive and mostly where the county dictates mode of payment. The say the document ought to be subjected to public participation.
“Our business is very tricky, like when picking passengers off your main stages, it will definitely be very difficult. In the same document, the county CEC has powers to fine you for repeated offense or suspend your license,” observed Wilfred Bosire, Secretary General of Mass Mobility Operators Association.
He added that “That is why we feel the document has an ill-intended purpose. In 2014, the government introduced a cashless system and some operators lost millions. The worst thing we are entertaining is that people come to make money and not to support businesses.”
Bosire said already some matatus companies are already using their systems, thus making those sounds questionable.
Wilson Kimathi, stage operator of Embassava Sacco at the city centre, observes that forcing the passengers to line up will help tame pickpockets.
“In the evening hours, we usually face some challenges organising the passengers to queue because there are those who resist lining up to use that chance to steal,” said Kimathi
“A cashless system is a good proposal but majority of the people who are coming to the city are new; only a few people who live in the city understand how challenging it will be,” he added
Under the proposal, the county is seeking to designate specific public service terminals for urban transport which will be gazetted and each operator will be required to drop and pick passengers from the exact spots.
Failure to observe this will attract a fine of Sh50,000 or up to Sh100,000 and have their license revoked.
Part of the regulations says, there will be no touts with each passenger arriving required to queue and wait for the matatu.
Matatus will also not be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at petrol stations or stay at a specific terminal for more than 40 minutes.
By Pkemoi Ng’enoh
