Transport for London (TfL) manages the London bus system by tendering out routes to private companies. This means that TfL set the routes, frequencies, fares and even the type of vehicle used, and companies bid to run these services for a fixed price for several years, with incentives and penalties in place to encourage good performance against certain criteria.

All London taxicabs are licensed by TfL, who also set taxicab fares along with strict maximum vehicle emission standards. Black cabs can be hailed on the street or hired from a taxicab rank. Taxicab fares are set by TfL and are calculated using a Taximeter in the vehicle (hence the name 'Taxicab') and are calculated using a combination of distance travelled and time.
Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs or minicabs) are cars which are not licensed to pick people up on the street. They must always be booked in advance by phone or at the operators offices. Anyone asking you if you want a 'Taxi' who is stood next to a normal looking car is a tout who is not insured or licensed to carry passengers.

Some decisions have to be made, might hurt at first, but if the benefits outweigh the perceived costs...its only logical to go ahead and implement. Actually,...some routes that have seen the increase in buses have seen a drastic (as much as 50%) reduction in fares. Thats a direst benefit to the common mwananchi.Of course if I own a matatu, I'd be on the fronline complaining!

That is neither practical nor logical. Major cities around the world have managed the situation by offering efficient, comfortable and affordable transport systems.

Example Rio and Sao Paulo have entered into PPP with investors to offer good quality, on-time transportation that is used by both middle class and low class. If we can get good, clean, comfortable and reliable buses middle class will leave their cars at home.

As things stand now NBI's middle class will be caught dead riding in 14 seaters.

My suggestion is GOK/NCC to auction 5 or 6 licences to exclusively run rapid transport in the City with supervision on quality, regulations etc. Just like CCK does with mobile industry.

Amos the root has finaly confessed: the phase out has nothing to do with traffic jams, but to keep the local motor vehicle manufactures in business. The guy seems not to appreciate that mama mboga is indirectly employed by the matatu sector: with technocrats like these, who needs vision 2030?

On that note they need tophase out mkokoteni and replace them with tuktuks or some Indian/Chinese pick-ups. I can't stand watching 5 grown men pushing that thing for 200 bob.

the simplest way is to hike those parking fees. charge by the hr and nobody will bring those junks to town. The reason people commute in big cities is the high cost of parking and the tolls charged to enter the city.


Commuting in such cities is easy and possible because there is a working transport system. Do we have any here? We should not attempt to copy what works elsewhere without considering all the factors.

I will always remember the scene I witnessed one evening a few years ago at the Ambassadeur and route 58 (Accra rd) bus stops. This was during the days of the KBS Metro Shuttle.


At Accra road, there was a long queue of Matatus running all the way back to River Road. Very few passengers and the matatus were charging Sh20 to Buruburu.

At Ambassadeur, there was a long queue of passengers running all the way round the building - down to Ronald Ngala Street and up Tom Mboya st. They were waiting for the Metro Shuttle which was charging Sh40.

Now what does that tell you?

All it takes is a serious businessperson to focus on passenger safety and comfort ahead of profit and the whole transport system will change.

someone tried the same on lavingtone route.........boses would not be caught dead riding in the bus. The mbochs foud the bus too expe.. And opted for ma3s