Good people, 'my friend' is starting at the bottom of the pyramid with a mazda bongo that will be arriving in the next four weeks.
1. How much is the cheapest compliant speed limiter and brand
2. Where do I get the slide windows fixed and how much
3. Cost of seats

Thanks

Here is my story:
Beginning of last year I bought a secondhand Nissan caravan from KWFT, it was collateral for a loan and the owner could not service the loan( The loan was on straight line that meant he was paying the original interest even though he had repaid part of the loan). Compared to market prices then, I got it at a huge discount, the engine and gear box were okay. so I took it for body works costed me about 40K. the mat was fully compliant so no extra costs of inspection et al. returns were high, I used to collect 3500 to 4000 daily, that is six days a week, Sundays were for resting or service normally every two weeks without fail.
Costs wise:
Service 5000 x 2 = 10000 per month, occasionaly you will spend on tyres and major repairs.
Insurance third party = 7800 per month
Municipal ticket = 2000 per month
Financing = 18000 monthly loan repayment
Total Monthly costs = 40,000
Total collections = average 70000 monthly. ( Variation from budgeted figure is due to surprises eg Breakdown, Kushikwa na city council or the police).
Benefits:
As a matatu operator you are ever liquid, your mpesa is always loaded hence you can solve you small problems without touching your salo.
Respect from your crew, kinda feels nice to be addressed as BOSS!
You get to learn a lot, This business will take to every corner of the town from the garages, police stations, hospitals, municipal offices and dingy estates. It will even change you as a person and how you relate with you peers, toughness comes with the business.
Challenges:
Your crew will steal at the slightest opportunity they get. They can also irritate when they keep calling when they have a small problem. I came to learn they use such times to steal from you knowing you are an office person and won’t be available to sort out the issue.
Police- they are part owners of your mat, you have to eat with them.
Luckily I sold it off at a profit. My conclusion, Matatu business is not for office people period!!!

@mwanafunzi. You have to accept to share the loot from matatu business. I've lately employed a manager to mitigate against the idea that the biz is not for office pple.

If in NBI look for Muigai in Ngara especially for (3). Slide windows are found in Kirinyaga Rd.

I paid 59,000/= for seats(14 seater) in May last year.
Omata speed limiter cost me 35k but should be cheaper now, not sure though. A search of my records gives me 24,000/= for all the four pieces of sliding windows. Again these are for a while back, i.e. almost a year ago.

I know a guy with 3 mats and a lorry and is employed

He tracks his vehicles on his comp as they're fitted with tracking devices

Big up @jerry. Appreciated.

You've answered when you said 'all tarmac road' a 2WD wil do, why waste more resources on the 4WD

thanx