Eastlands gets new buses

Pius Maundu

@piusmaundu

 Eastlands gets new buses

Nairobi's Eastlands area has gotten a new fleet of minibuses. Photo Credit/ New York Times

This morning, residents of Embakasi and Savanna woke up to a good day when a new passenger bus company penetrated the Eastlands route in philanthropy. 

Christened ‘Royal Swift,’ the 29-seater Isuzu NPR minibuses in black and yellow left touts in the mainstream Embasava Sacco cursing when they offered free rides.

“Its a good thing to have a competitor on this route,” offered Patrick Okwemba, 32, a regular traveller on the Outering route. 

Royal Swift buses do not carry the latest registration numbers. And scanning from their crew, it is easy to tell that they used to belong to Umoinner or Embassava Saccos. 

In May this year, gangs loyal to conspicuous matatu saccos clashed in Mutindwa over market dominance. 

Critics have faulted the industry’s resolve to adopt technology, especially paperless money. 

In the wake of the stiff competition in the public transport industry, it is yet unclear the differentiation strategies Royal Swift and Embassava will adopt. 

But according to Okwemba, the more buses, the merrier. 

“I would be elated if this free ride lasts longer, or at least their fares  will be lower than those we are charged.”