I think on this one,Kenyans shunning the whole thing ain't helpful.If they knew better,they would be demanding the better. The benefits of the smart cards are enormous and beneficial to the whole economy.But as usual,change has to be resisted first. Of coz it's gonna take a while to put everything in its rightful place,but that doesn't mean we shun it. This is how a well established system would look and feel;
A private smart card issuer steps forward[they can be more than one].They 'sell' the smart cards plus the infrastructure [the card recharging machines and the swiping machines on buses and marts/kiosks]. The gov't reigns on all matatus[they will have to buses for max. benefits] to join the system[this has nothing to do with gov't meddling in private business,it's regulation for public good].Single bus ownership ceases and operators form societies/companies to run the business. All buses are homogeneous in color and sizes. For routes having similar variables,they carry the same color and charge the same fare.For buses plying to the sub-urbs[Ruai,Rongai,Kitengela etc] will have another color and a higher fare[these ones get a full fare no matter what]. Fares having been predetermined,situations of peak/off-peak fares or fares going up whenever it rains or late at night would be a thing of the past.The gov't,through the card issuing company,will be able to collect taxes from the bus operators.By the time the system is fully operational and all buses brought on board,many guys will have lost their jobs[the touts as with the smart card system,there wont be need for touts] and with savings from corruption and cut-throat competition,the bus companies can employ at least 2 drivers for a 18hour day. With a more organized public transport system,efficiency and disciplined will be immensely enhanced.Working conditions for the drivers will be much better.They will be pensionable and have medical cover. The smart cards can be used as debit cards to make payments in marts,book shops petrol stations etc. With the adoption of such a system,if one uses more the two buses to get some place,you pay full fare for the first bus,on transferring to the second bus within 30 minutes of alighting,you pay between 25-30%.If you happen to transfer to a third bus,you pay nothing.Since most of commuting is round trip,the guy who gets nothing the first time,gets the lion share second round. The whole country is getting wired,let's utilize the benefits of ICT .Woe unto the corrupt cops,with no cash to target,they will have to do their jobs.
When i see my purple,you see it not.
when i see my purple, you see it not!