Matatuman, I think it is good to understand that as far as I know, "kuuliza si ujinga". I have read through all the posts severally and none gives you clear answers.. only very rough estimates devoid of full facts about the business: for example, how do we calculate net profits of we do not enumerate all the known expenses? Income tax is part of business and nobody seems to account for it anywhere. Known expenses in my opninion are fuel, maintenance costs, licensing costs, tyre replacement, human resources (Driver, conductor), management fees, miscellaneous (bribery cum extortion, inspection,etc), advance tax (and income tax from the gross profits). If we enumerate the above and share the general gross collections per month, depreciation, then we can decide. Please, share information about the price of a 2008 Diesel Hiace if you have. For now, one can only estimate using the prices advertised on OLX/ and other web sites.. Actual price will be used at the point of purchasing. We are also in other businesses too and can also advise in our respective areas of operation. The need for diversification is the reason we are asking. We are ignorant and therefore are seeking information.

This is a dynamic industry and discussions of 2006 are not necessarily accurate enough.

Thank you very much Matatuman, this time you are not too abrasive. As a businessman, one gets general information and decides whether it is a go or no go (feasibility stage). Then, gets more details before spending. I intend to buy one in cash and since am still in the feasibility stage, I am also looking at 33 seater and 51 seater (new Isuzu) which I can also buy in cash. It will depend on the profitability of the options available. So, between would a 51 seater, 33 seater or 14 seater, which one would you advise somebody to go for? I can see that a 14 seater can give a return of a net of Kshs. 3,000 (excluding maintenance, insurance, tyre replacement, taxes, salaries) and a 33 seater can give a net of about Kshs. 8,000 respectively. What about a 51 seater?

I will check it up.. do you have information on the returns for such vans? Would you recommend them over the bigger buses?

Thank you Thitifini (Stephen?). I will avoid the petrol one. What are the returns for the diesel one? What expenses will you have paid for to get the net?

Thitifini, what route are you on? Petrols only made sense when the difference in price was close to 600k. But they are still as good as 5Ls, just do a decat, fit an aftermarket chip and have it remapped then buy me a beer.

How do you normally deal with the crew who seem to be on drugs and are keen to overlap and break all laws? And cops?

Thitifini, what route are you on? Petrols only made sense when the difference in price was close to 600k. But they are still as good as 5Ls, just do a decat, fit an aftermarket chip and have it remapped then buy me a beer.