Transport minister James Macharia has announced Wednesday and Saturday as car-free days in Nairobi’s pilot programme.
From February 1, the central business district will be closed to vehicles and traders allowed to sell their wares, especially using the numerous parking lots.
In a press briefing in Nairobi, Transport Principal Secretary Paul Maringa said the two days have been designated as car-free days to allow the national government try out the much-hyped bus rapid transport (BRT) system.
Only individuals with bicycles, police vehicles and emergency cars will be allowed into the city centre on the two days.
According to the PS, matatu operators will drop and pick passengers at the designated termini, while private car owners have been advised to leave their vehicles at home and use public transport on the two days.
The government says 64 high-capacity buses will be imported from South Africa for the BRT pilot programme.
Vehicles for the system will arrive any time from February 1, Mr Macharia said.
Sixty four buses from South Africa will be used in the pilot programme, he said, adding that sectoral representatives were concluding negotiations on the acquisition of 11 trains from Spain, for use alongside the buses.
Twenty more trains will be shipped in due course, Mr Macharia said and noted that for efficiency in the city’s transport sector, at least 900 BRT buses are required.
“We have given local manufacturers the templates for the buses. After the pilot programme, the private sector can work with them to manufacture the remaining buses,” he said.
The CS also noted that the system will be run by the private sector and refuted claims that the ministry had bribed transporters for compliance.
“We wish to clarify that it is not the county’s manufacturers who manufactured the BRT buses used in Tanzania. That is a rumour that is not true,” he said.
Principal Secretary Paul Maringa urged cooperation and adherence with guidelines.
“Immense profits will be realised from this development as businesses will be allowed to operate within the CBD,” he said of the car-free days.
Will the project survive?