powerful sound systems and television
screens in order to attract more customers.
However, in 2004, a law
was passed requiring all matatus to include seat belts and speed
governors and to be painted with a yellow stripe. At first, this caused a
furore amongst Matatu operators, but they were pressured by government
and the public to make the changes. Matatus are now limited to 80
kilometres per hour (50 mph). In December 2010, the Government embarked
on a policy to phase out matatus as a means of public transport.
Consequently no new matatus are licensed to operate from January 2011
while the current ones will be allowed to live out their lifespan.
Buses
Buses
are increasingly common in the city. There are four major bus companies
operating the city routes and are the traditional Kenya Bus Service
(KBS), and newer private operators Citi Hoppa, Compliant MOA and Double
M. The Citi Hoppa buses are distinguishable by their green livery, the
Double M buses are painted purple, Compliant MOA by their distinctively
screaming names and mix of white, blue colors while the KBS buses are
painted blue.
Companies such as; Easy Coach, Crown Bus, Coast Bus,
Modern Coast, Eldoret Express, Chania, and Mash Poa run scheduled buses
and luxury coaches to other cities and towns.
Smartbus
Smartbus-Kenya
is the latest bus operator in Kenya and serves Nairobi and the areas
around it. Presently, the company operates buses to Kitengela, Kiserian,
Rongai, and Ngong. Passengers have a smart card which they must swipe in
order to gain access to the vehicle. Passengers top up their smart card
and the fare is deducted from the amount of money in the account. The
fare is determined by the point at which the passenger enters and the
point at which the passenger exits the bus.
Trains
Nairobi was
founded as a railway town, and the main headquarters of Kenya Railways
(KR)
