China trained engineers to help in automation of Green Park

Nairobi Metropolitan Services has enlisted four China trained engineers to assist in the automation of Green Park Terminus. 

The engineers from the Kenya Railways Corporation have been trained in China on automated traffic management.

NMS director general  Mohamed Badi had earlier announced they would introduce an electronic application to be used by matatu operators and commuters at Green Park.

“The automation of systems will ease the access of details for PSV operators and commuters online,” NMS said.

The electronic system will be integrated into the termini to keep matatu users notified of the time the last-mile buses will be at the different pick-up stages.

Commuters would be using a digital platform to determine when to take trips to and from terminals while it will also keep matatu operators updated.

NMS director of transport and public works Michael Ochieng said the system will also keep matatu operators updated.

“This system keeps you informed to decide on what time you are planning to do your business, leave your office and when to you go home. That is what we want to integrate,” he said.

Green Park terminal located at Railways Club estimated to have cost around Sh250 million will be the drop-off and pick-up point for matatus plying the Ngong and Lang’ata routes.

This is once NMS starts implementing decongestion plans in the CBD.

The terminal can accommodate 300 to 350 vehicles at any given time and up to 20,000 matatus in a day.

“The new Park has a capacity to process 1,000 Public Service Vehicles per hour,” NMS said.

Once matatus disembark at the drop off the bay, commuters can choose to walk along the Non-Motorised Transport walkways to town, or if still on transit proceed to the pickup bay through roofed paths.

Nairobi Commuter Rail buses will be available to transport the elderly, physically challenged, expectant mothers and those with small children given priority.

NMS has already conducted three test runs in the terminal. 

All the test runs although successful were accompanied by mixed reactions from commuters and matatu operators, poor communication and traffic snarl-ups in and around the Green park terminal.

Green Park will not only be a transport infrastructure but will also have other amenities.

In July, it was announced that the bus terminal will open up for business after NMS called for lease applications from the public.

The entity exempted traders who were operating from the previous Lunar park and also people or firms who had previously expressed interest in applying.

In terms of allocating the space, Badi revealed that 60 per cent will be for the general public, while 35 per cent will be reserved for Women and Youth.

Persons living with disabilities will have 5 per cent of the space reserved for them.

A supermarket will be set up and already there is a Level Two hospital within the terminus that is already operating.

An ablution block has also been stationed at the terminal with sitting bays for commuters and a police post.

Edited by Kiilu Damaris