Bus rapid transit (BRT), also called a bus-way or transit way, is a bus-based public transport system designed to improve capacity and reliability relative to a conventional bus system, and is the future the CS of Transport James Macharia is anticipating of adopting so as to curb the growing menace we call traffic in Nairobi.
The first BRT system was the ‘Rede Integrada de Transporte (‘Integrated Transportation Network’) in Curitiba, Brazil, which entered service in 1974. As of March 2018, a total of 166 cities in six continents have implemented BRT systems, accounting for 4,906 km (3,048 mi) of BRT lanes and about 32.2 million passengers every day, of which about 19.6 million passengers ride daily in Latin America, which has the most cities with BRT systems, with 54, led by Brazil with 21 cities. The Latin American countries with the most daily ridership are Brazil (10.7M), Colombia (3.06M), and Mexico (2.5M). In the other regions, China (4.3M) and Iran (2.1M) also stand out.[3]Currently, TransJakarta is considered as the largest BRT network in the world with approximately 230.9 kilometres (143.5 mi) of corridors connecting the Indonesian capital city.
With a history of statistics which clearly show the success of such a system ,it is a no-brainer to see why Transport stakeholders are eager to adopt this to curb traffic which keeps getting hectic by the day .Our beloved neighbours on our south ,Tanzania adopted the system not long ago and its first implementation was Dar es Salaam, and by the success of the first phase , they just started on Phase 2 and plan to expand this to other cities within the country where there are large working groups so as to ease congestion and if you just think of the environmental impact of it , the prevalence of adopting the system in Kenya will grow.
The plans are under way to acquire and fabricate our buses that will be involved in the BRT all together and according to Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga, the roll-over protection structure is intended to protect passengers, and operators from injuries and equipment from damage in case the vehicle overturns or rolls over.(A roll over cage made of 3CR12 stainless steel is among prerequisite safety features for the high capacity buses set to operate under the Bus Rapid Transport System in Nairobi.) The government says it opted to source vehicles to operate under the Bus Rapid Transport System from South Africa after local fabricators of passenger service vehicle bodies failed to meet the required specifications.
Other specifications include two doors on the right hand side, driver controlled safety gadgets, roll over cage structure, stainless steel frame and electronic cash system among others.The government has put on notice local assemblers eyeing the rapid high capacity buses to adhere to the laid out safety measures.
Proposed BRT Station at the Kencom Stage.The proposed stations are very well thought of. if they are implemented as per the design we just might have the BRT working. Source @PSCharlesHinga pic.twitter.com/hWrz2Pq0IN
— DesignDecode_Ke (@DecodeKe) February 4, 2019
Kenyans had a lot to say in regards to this some were a bit welcoming with the idea,
ABOUT #BRT in Kenya https://t.co/z2OACTPyQG @Ma3Route The idea that come Saturday we will be walking quite a bit is still contentious. Where are the BRT buses?
— Richard Kitheka (@goldfishpr) January 30, 2019
Some just worried this might be a big way of taking away taxpayers money for a failed project.
BRT will be another failure and scandal. This is Kenya.
— ?????? (@Khoisaan) January 26, 2019
Brt by MoT kenya is another big scam ahead ?
— Steven Mapesa (@MapesaSteven) January 31, 2019
The government is expected to launch five BRT corridors in Nairobi in a move aimed at reducing traffic congestion in the capital city. The five routes are Limuru-Kangemi-CBD-Imara Daima–Athi River to Kitengela road, Rongai, Bomas-CBD–Thika-Kenol-Murang’a road, Tala-Njiru-Dandora–CBD-road, Mama Lucy Hospital-Donholm to the CBD while final line will start from Ridgeways on Kiambu road to Balozi and terminate in Imara Daima. We as the citizens will just have to entrust those in charge but keep a watchful eye and hope that this BRT will be worth our money.