The National Youth Service has further slashed fares to Sh20 per trip for Nairobians.
This move comes just a day after NYS announced that its buses will be shuttling passengers from densely populated areas in Nairobi for Sh50 regardless of the distance.
“We have witnessed people in Nairobi walking long distances in the rain and most of the time due to high fares charged by commuter vehicles. We shall do the much we can to alleviate the suffering,” noted NYS Director General Richard Ndubai on Thursday according to the Star.
However, yesterday evening, NYS said it has further revised the fares following public outcry.
In a tweet through its official twitter handle, @NYS_Ke said: “Following further plea from wananchi, the Director General of NYS @DG_Ndubai announced that commuters will now pay a flat rate of Shs 20 on NYS buses effective tomorrow, 24/03/18. This will further alleviate the plight faced by commuters.”
About 27 buses from NYS will operate in Kibera, Githurai, Mwiki, Mukuru kwa Njenga, Dandora, Kariobangi and Kawangware routes which are believed to have many passengers.
However, the Nairobi matatu owners association has opposed this move by NYS.
“We have to question their intention. We don’t fear competition but we perceive such a move as a deliberate action by the government to spoil our business,” lamented Simon Kimutai, the chair Matatu Owners Association.
He added that NYS buses will create unfair competition and lead to an over-supply of transport services.
“The government cannot compete with subjects it wants to sustain operations through taxes. It directed us to upgrade our matatus by phasing out 14-seaters yet we had invested heavily in them.”