The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has ordered matatus back to the city center hours after the Green Park test run.
This comes after matatu operators and commuters complained about the disarray, traffic jams, and long lines that marred the morning test run.
NMS had previously announced that the phased test run will continue until Sunday, June 26, then further communication would take place.
The test run was limited to matatus traveling on the Rongai, Kiserian, Ngong, Karen, Lang’ata, Nairobi West/Madaraka, Kibra, Kawangware, Dagoretti/Satellite, Kilimani, Highrise/Ngumo, and Kikuyu routes.
Matatus had returned to their CBD staging areas along Railways, Agro House, and Kencom by noon.
Commuters highlighted that there was poor planning while others suggested that alternative modes of transportation should have been provided for Kenyans who are unwell or have disabilities (PWDs).
“Were just frustrated, they should have left us at the Railways terminus. If someone gets off here, they have to pay Sh100 more to board a boda boda to town and they have used the same amount from home and the day has not yet begun,” one of the commuters stated.
Engineer Micheal Ochieng, NMS Transport Director, indicated that they had established different measures to solve congestion at the terminus, adding that no vehicle was to spend more than 20 minutes at the park.
He went on to say that they have set aside some lanes for entry and exit to prevent matatu traffic from disrupting traffic flow on other highways.
“The other key item we have done is that PSVs have their own dedicated lane and you will realise that they are not interfering with the other vehicles on the road,” he stated.
The Chairman of the Matatu Owners Association, Simon Kimutai, has however objected to the relocation of matatus operating Ngong and Mombasa highways to the completed multi-million Green Park terminus.
“The terminus is placed next to major roads i.e. Haile Selassie and Uhuru Highway so traffic spills here very fast especially during rush hours hence spreading to other major roads. MOA was never involved at all nor any other association,” he stated.