Green Park matatu termini test run on Tuesday

Matatus will go for a test run on Tuesday at the much-awaited Green Park Bus terminus.

The Nairobi Metropolitan Services said the test run will last for three hours as engineers implement decongesting strategies of the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan.

"All PSVs operating from the Nairobi Railway Station Frontage will do a test run of dropping passengers at the Green Park terminals on Tuesday, April 27,  between 6am and 9am," the notice reads.

After the test run, buses and matatus will return to operating at the Nairobi Railway Station frontage until further notice.

All the termini will operate once the NMS directs all matatus out of the central business district to decongest the city.

One strategy is construction of public service transport terminals or stages.

NMS director general Mohammed Badi said the process was entering the transition phase of commissioning the terminus. All stakeholders will assess their preparedness for commissioning.

The Green Park Terminus, the former Lunar Park, will be the drop-off and pick-up points for matatus plying the Ngong and Lang’ata routes. They currently operate from the Nairobi Central Station Frontage.

NMS has already set up the sitting bay and constructed a small dispensary for medical assistance in cases of emergencies. The dispensary has been operational since January.

A modern restaurant and a mini-supermarket will also be built at the terminus.

Two ablution blocks will also be set up, one at the drop-off point and another at the pick-up area.

A a police station will ensure the safety of commuters, matatu crews and staff.

Another terminus being built by NMS between Bunyala and Workshop roads will be reserved for matatus plying Mombasa Road, South B, South C, Industrial Area, Imara Daima, Athi River, Kitengela and Machakos routes.

All matatus currently using Tea Room and Accra Road plying the Thika Superhighway and long-distance matatus from Mt Kenya will move to Desai and Park Road termini in Ngara.

They will drop off passengers at Fig Tree terminus in Ngara and Westlands.

A terminus at Muthurwa-Ladhies will handle  matatus from Jogoo and Lusaka roads.

NMS  will also launch an integrated electronic system in the new termini to be used by matatus and commuters. 

The digital platform will notify matatu owners when PSVs can make their way to the termini and when commuters can be picked up and dropped off.

(Edited by V. Graham)