Nairobians who commute to and from town using the recently introduced National Youth Service (NYS) buses now have a reason to smile following the latest move by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

NTSA has now issued temporary licences of three months for the buses to operate in the city.

The NYS buses were introduced to the public earlier in this month by the Government aimed at easing the perennial transport menace for city commuters especially during the rainy season and rush hours when matatu operators arbitrarily increase fares.

Affordable rates

The government initially rolled out 27 NYS buses which charged Sh50 in Nairobi routes which included Kibera, Githurai, Mwiki, Mukuru kwa Njenga, Dandora, Kariobangi and Kawangware.

The fare was later reduced to a flat rate of Sh20 despite the distance covered following a plea from members of the public.

An additional 50 more buses are set to be introduced on Nairobi roads in the next two months as the Government strives to come up with alternative ways to ease movement within the city and its suburbs.

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) and Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has supported the introduction of the NYS buses in Nairobi routes saying they this will create more employment opportunities.

This comes after the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) also backed the deployment of the buses on the seven routes across the city.

Opposition

However, the Matatu Welfare Association has opposed the introduction of the NYS buses saying they were bringing unfair competition in the matatu industry.

Chairman Dickson Mbugua said the government has ill motives to push them out of business as the NYS will not pay taxes like PSV owners.