Hopes of boarding the long awaited Bus Rapid Transport in this lifetime have finally matured after authorities released a bus schedule for the capital city’s estates. – By Gerald Gekara.
Shortly after unveiling 12 BRT buses, the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NAMATA) unveiled five routes within Nairobi County estates; Ndovu Line, Simba Line, Chui Line, Kifaru Line and Nyati Line.
Ndovu Line. – Kangemi – Imara Daima
Ndovu Line will begin its schedule at Kangemi, all the way to Embakasi’s Imara Daima estate.
Simba Line – Bomas – Tmall – CBD – Thika Rd – Ruiru
Simba line runs from Bomas of Kenya through Blue Sky/TMall (Umoja) to Nairobi CBD then passes through Thika Road to Ruiru.
Chui Line. Njiru – CBD – Kibera
Chui Line starts at Njiru (Kasarani) to Showground (Kibera) and passes through Nairobi CBD.
Kifaru Line. Mama Lucy (Umoja) – Donholm – CBD – Karen – Kikuyu
Kifaru Line serves commuters from Mamam Lucy, passes through Donholm, CBD, TMall, Bomas, Karen, to Kikuyu.
Nyati Line. Ridgeways (Kiambu road) – Allsops – Imara Daima
Nyati Line links Ridgeways (Kiambu Road), Balozi (Allsops) to Imara Daima estate.
The BRT buses are a key addition to the commuter rails system installed by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).
Other efforts to decongest include refurbishment of bus termini located outside the CBD. Currently, works at the Green Bus Park, Bunyala Terminus, Muthurwa and Globe Cinema are nearing completion.
