Tutakuwa tunaingia CBD na track suits ama? Nairobi car free days explained

Image result for james machariaTransport minister James Macharia has announced Wednesday and Saturday as car-free days in Nairobi’s pilot programme.

However most Kenyans are yet to understand what car free days mean.

Organized car-free days are held in various cities across the world where motorists are encouraged to give up their vehicles and has been institutionalized in some areas making it compulsory.

In Kigali, Rwanda for instance, it was introduced in mid-2016 and takes place on the first Sunday of every month.

However , in Kenya the move is not meant to tackle pollution, promote non-motorized transport or  encourage physical exercise but will be a pilot implementation of the bus rapid transport (BRT) system.Image result for car free day

The pilot will cover Harambee and Moi Avenues and City Hall Way, the CS said, without stating how long it will last.

He said they negotiated with the county government on this arrangement.

The Cabinet Secretary spoke on Monday during a briefing on the progress of the implementation of the bus rapid transport (BRT) system.

Vehicles for the system will arrive any time from February 1, Mr Macharia said.Image result for brt buses

Sixty four buses from South Africa will be used in the pilot programme, he said, adding that sectoral representatives were concluding negotiations on the acquisition of 11 trains from Spain, for use alongside the buses.

Twenty more trains will be shipped in due course, Mr Macharia said and noted that for efficiency in the city’s transport sector, at least 900 BRT buses are required.

“We have given local manufacturers the templates for the buses. After the pilot programme, the private sector can work with them to manufacture the remaining buses,” he said.

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The CS also noted that the system will be run by the private sector and refuted claims that the ministry had bribed transporters for compliance.

“We wish to clarify that it is not the county’s manufacturers who manufactured the BRT buses used in Tanzania. That is a rumour that is not true,” he said.

Principal Secretary Paul Maringa urged cooperation and adherence with guidelines.

“Immense profits will be realised from this development as businesses will be allowed to operate within the CBD,” he said of the car-free days.

I hope Kenyans now understand that it has nothing to do with running to the city center from home

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