Disagreements between NMS, matatu operators behind postponement of PSVs to Green Park
Disagreements on the operationalisation of the Green Park bus terminus between the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) and the public service vehicle operators has informed the postponement to relocate matatu and busses from the Nairobi Central Business District.
This is the fifth time the relocation of the new terminus meant to decongest the city has been delayed.
The postponement was requested by public service vehicle (PSV) operators, according to the administration commanded by Lieutenant General Mohamed Badi.
Last week, NMS announced that the terminus would reopen in stages today.
All matatus plying the Ngong and Argwings Kodhek routes were to stop their travels at the terminus beginning May 24.
Matatus plying the Lang’ata Road route would have arrived three days later.
“Nairobi Metropolitan Services wishes to notify the public that the operationalisation of the Green Park Bus Terminal that was set to commence on 24th May 2022 has been postponed following a request for time extension by PSV operators. The new date will be duly communicated,” said NMS in a statement.
The Sh250 million terminus, which is located at the former Lunar Park, can hold between 300 and 350 vehicles at any given time, processing 1,000 PSVs every hour and up to 20,000 per day.
They will have 30 minutes to pick passengers before exiting.
“In the event that vehicles break down here, they will not be on the road, we’ll have a service station in which they can get serviced.
We’ll have a restaurant here, a supermarket, a health centre, and a police station for the purposes of security control,” added Ochieng.
Earlier this month Jamal Ibrahim, Chairman of the Association of Matatu Owners, on his part said that everything is inside the green park.
“…this is the first time since independence that the government has invested heavily in the transport sector,” he said.
The terminus will accommodate matatus using Mombasa Road, South B, South C, Industrial Area, Imara Daima, Athi River, Kitengela and Machakos.
Vehicles plying Ngong and Langa’ta roads will terminate at the modern terminus.
Automation of systems will also ease access of details for both PSV operators and commuters online or through an application which one can download, this further aided by timed access to free WI-FI at the station.
Large and DOH screens available at the station will also display route information, vehicles loading/dropping, Queue status.
After alighting at the drop off bay commuters can walk along Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) to town or if still on transit proceed to the pick-up bay through a path complete with roofing to protect from inclement weather.
The terminus also hosts a level 2 hospital, police post, supermarket and eateries.
