Double Up! Transport Fares Skyrocket as Matatu Operators begin Strike

Ever planned on going for a journey with a very fixed budget only to be later beaten at your own game when fares suddenly go up? This is the situation Nairobi residents and commuters from other parts of the country found themselves in after public transport operators made good their threat of going on a strike to protest the re-introduction of the now famous Michuki rules.

There was a glimpse of hope to some residents as a few vehicles could be seen plying different routes across the city from as early as 4.30 am. The glimpse of hope would soon fade away once one boarded the vehicles as the fares shot up with more than double the normal prices.

At Jogoo-Outer Ring Road, fares had shot up to Sh200 from Pipeline to the Central Business District (CBD) as commuters in Donholm parted with Sh100 more than the usual Sh30-Sh50 fares.

There are fears the fares could go higher with times.

“I’ve walked from Embakasi where the fare was Sh200. I’ve found that it’s Sh100 at Donholm and I’ll continue to walk until I get a place where they will charge at least Sh80 to town,” Ms Josephine Mueni said.

 

A similar situation was evident at Githurai 45 where commuters were charged Sh250 to the CBD and Sh200 from Roysambu. It is the same on Ngong Road, Rongai and Uthiru.

In Buru Buru, there were hardly any matatus and commuters were scrambling to get in the one that was at the stage at 5:45am.

At the popular KenComm and nearby stage at Ambassadeur Hotel there were no buses. Two buses dropped people off at Kencom but didn’t carry any passengers.

 Stakeholders in the public transport industry have already opposed the move and to air their dissatisfaction, they have called for a major strike starting today.

Addressing the the media, the Federation of Public Transport operators   chairman Edwin Mukabana said that their decision follows the directive given on Friday by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.

The Federation now says they have written to the Ministry of Transport asking them to clarify on a section of the set requirements adding that they will only return to work after their grievances have been addressed.

In a function attended by Transport James Macharia, PS Karanja Kibicho and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, Matiang’i said that the crackdown is aimed at restoring sanity on Kenyan roads.

Matiang’i and Macharia have given a grace period of two weeks for all stakeholders to comply with the new rules.

The government has turned to the late Transport Minister John Michuki’s guidebook on how to bring back sanity on the roads, giving the public transport sector up to November 12 (tomorrow) to comply with a set of strict conditions.

Are the Matatu Operators Justified to Double Up Fares because of the Crackdown?

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