Stage set for BRT project to ease traffic in Eastlands
By John Otini, March 22, 2022The government is set to begin the construction of the second phase of the Nairobi Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system running from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) to Dandora, Nairobi’s populous Eastlands area, in a move aimed at reducing traffic jams in the city.
In the latest Kenya Gazette Notice, the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) Director-General Mamo B Mamo said they have received an environmental impact assessment report for the proposed clean-bus-rapid-transit core line 3. The project is located in the North East of Nairobi. It is the first stage of a BRT network and serves a 12.4km long corridor referred to as BRT Core Line 3, according to the authority.
“It starts from Kenyatta Hospital progresses down Haile Selassie Avenue to the Central Business District, continues on Race Course Road to Ring Road Ngara to Juja Road and then onto the end at Dandora,” it added.
Supporting infrastructure
The projects comprise 10 main components. These are bus running ways, bus stations, bus depot, station access supporting infrastructure including pedestrian bridges where needed, fare collection and validation systems.
Other components are a bus fleet (110-articulated buses), interchange stations for feeder bus services, park and ride facilities, a BRT control room, and a real-time passenger information system.
Mamo said the project concept integrates road traffic management with the needs of non-motorised transport modes and full integration of the BRT into the streetscape and urban living environment. These include new pedestrian walkways and crossings, cycle lanes, parking spaces and green spaces.
“Nema invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within 30 days from the date of publication of this notice to the Director-General, NEMA, to assist the Authority in the decision-making process for this project,” said Nema. This will complement the first one which was the initial rollout of the BRT corridor from KNH to Ruiru whose construction is on course with most of the stages almost complete.
The first phase of the much-awaited mass rapid transport systèm on Thika Road is set to start in July this year.
The government specified that it does not want buses that run on fossil fuels and instead wants those running on biodiesel, hybrid or fully electric buses.
Some players in the private sector have started importing electric buses in a move that could set standards for public transport, especially in the BRT system.
The government, through the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA), has begun the process of purchasing buses for use on the Nairobi BRT system.
In an advertisement in local dailies, NaMATA invited tenders from qualified parties to supply the high capacity buses destined particularly for the BRT system along the Thika Road through the Nairobi Central Business District to the KNH) area, which has been under construction for more than two years.
According to Transport PS Charles Hinga, the initial fleet requirement for the 27 km stretch is 100 12-metre buses, which he says will give three minutes headway during peak hour and five minutes off-peak.
Biodiesel types
Among the buses requested are electric, hybrid as well as biodiesel types as the city leans towards green energy and climate conservation. NeMATA indicated that it is seeking to purchase the vehicles or hold a lease of not less than 36 months.
As Kenya awaits high capacity buses this month, Tanzania has been providing rapid transport through high capacity buses for close to six years now, having embraced the system on May 10, 2016.