In Nairobi buses will be king, but this is a bubble. Margins will drop. On some of our routes, buses just won't work. It wont be profitable. Many who try buses on this "long distance routes" will be forced to either quit or put up with the profits they used to make from smaller vans. Reason being, you cant do murengo with a bus. So most likely where the van was doing 2 return trips, the bus might do one, or none at all depending on how many vehicles there are.

Boss no offence but none of your points make sense. Check my post again, I said buses will work in the city but its a bubble, margins will drop. Significantly I must say. So when you say "smell the coffee" which one? The same coffee that's been brewing since the days of Michuki? I'll smell it when it's served. Meanwhile, the 14 seater is still king.

Hiyo story yako ya cost of spares, mimi sina gari ng'ote,but I understand nairobians have accepted being moved around in run down ramshackles. Inflation inachapa kila mtu, si watu wa 14 seaters pekee. Plus I think you have read too many newspapers written by some crappy Kenyan journalist behind a desk who thinks a shark can only be a type of fish. As for pilferage, I doubt the buses fair any better. If anything, they have more mouths to feed, I only feed a driver per vehicle. Maintenance standards hata sijui unasema nini. Uncouth crew? Nairobi crew are uncouth because we as a society tolerate it. You need to meet my drivers or any of the staff on our shuttle. Tell me another. Ohh and I can't tell you the last time any of my drivers bribed a cop-we actually fine them if they do.
I need to welcome you to the good life. Sahau town service, utamea mvi mapema. Organized shuttles are a different ball game.

Swali moja tu, this 39,46 you are touting here are within Nairobi. Doesn't qualify as murengo, its called BAU (business as usual). You can not do murengo to meru nyeri or those out of town routes using a bus unless you are a philanthropist.

Lets do simple maths, 3 fourteen seaters give you more than a single 33 seater. The cost of the three is identical to the bus-unless you are an olx shopper of course. With the bus all your eggs are in one basket. Forget any higher capacity bus, they give less than the 33 seater. Remind me again, why would I want to buy a bus?

See why i was referring to you as an olx shopper? Forget the prices on olx and cheki. Thats probably me and a couple of others profiting from someone else's ignorance. I must admit though that my conscience wouldn't allow me to sell at 2.5M. I wouldn't be able to live with myself. Import don't buy locally, i can help with that. A petrol box will cost you anything from 1.3 to 1.5. A diesel should be about 1.6 to 1.8. Figures are indicative depending on your negotiating skills and the vehicle's condition specifically mileage. Your figure on the bus should suffice.

Have a look at the GM price list here

What I do not know is whether this is the price of cab and chassis only or the price of a fully built bus. I've looked at the websites of various bus body builders (Dodi, LSHS, Master Fabricators) but none mentions pricing, though I've often heard figures of around 800k for a fully fitted 33-seater being bandied around.

Hello sir. I use Total Rubia TIR-7400 15w40 that costs 6940/= for four 5litre jerrycans. Oil filter costs 200 (for 5l) or 300 (for 1kz), air filter 350/= and diesel/fuel filter 300/=.

Kip,
Why not carry the packaging and just confirm with a different total station. Ordinarily the prices are usually similar across the Totals and they always issue receipts. I use 5200 for oil (Synthetic-2x4 litre jericans though consumes 7litres), Oil filter at 300, air cleaner at 500. I haven't yet changed my fuel filter yet. After how long should I change it? The mechanic told me there is no need of changing it frequently. I would wish to seek a second opinion from my pals in the industry (Including washiku). I do the service after 6000kms.

incidentally Kip TOTAL kenya have a page on facebook. They are very prompt in replying to any queries. Just inbox them and they will give you their reserved retail prices. It is especially good if you could note the part numbers.

@Prime: I change my diesel filter every third service. Air filter goes with every service. My service interval for the diesel is 3k oil is quartz 5000.

Can someone assist with info on where I can get a good second hand body for a matatu toyota shark.Mine involved in an accident with miraa pick up.

Entire body...including the dashboard.Any idea of the price?