Gov’t to Install Sh5.8 Billion BRT System on Thika Highway

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Kevin
March 13, 2020
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The government has set aside Sh5.8 billion for setting up of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on Thika Highway.

On Thursday, Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia told MPs that the money will be used to construct stations, four foot bridges, a park, and ride facility.

The project, which will be undertaken by Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha), is one of the five proposed Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) System corridors in Nairobi.

“The design infrastructure is going on under Kenha which has estimated the cost to be Sh5.8 billion,” CS Macharia said when he appeared before National Assembly Committee on Transport.

Macharia indicated that BRT stations would be set at a highland between the two highways going to Thika and coming to the city.

“It means that the people going to Thika would be able to access the station just like those going to Nairobi,” he said.

The government is importing 32 high-capacity BRT buses from South Africa and will source an additional 32 from local assemblers.

The government is implementing the BRT system in Nairobi as part of its plan to decongest and improve public transport system in the city.

The six BRT corridors in Nairobi include the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Likoni, James Gichuru-Rironi and Bomas to Ruiru roads. Others include Ngong Road to Juja, Mama Lucy to T-Mall and Balozi to Imara roads.

When complete, the Transport Ministry said the corridors will hold up to 950 high-capacity buses, thus reducing travel time and cost by up to 70 percent.

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