Matatu’s will soon no longer accept cash fares after a data company started training public service operators go cashless.
Data Integrated Limited hopes to engage all Saccos in the country in adopting a mobile application through which passengers will pay.
The company also says those who do not have smartphones, will be using a USSD code to pay directly to the Sacco. People will use M-Pesa, ATM and Visa cards, among other cashless systems.
DIL chief executive officer Mary Mwangi said the application dubbed M-Epesi will help matatu operators save money and manage their vehicles.
She said the move will also help the government control the spread of coronavirus. The Ministry of Health says the exchange of cash increases the risk of spreading the disease.
Mwangi reveals that the application, which has been tested for five years, will help passengers identify the matatus that ply their routes and how much they charge.
“The application will help people plan, as it has a map backed by google map for the people with smartphones,” she said.
Muthoni spoke on Tuesday when she led DIL to educate and register Likana Sacco - operating between Nairobi and Limuru - and the public, how to operate the application.
She was accompanied by Kiambu public health assistant director Samuel Gichimu, Likana Sacco chairman Peter Muiruri and Governor James Nyoro's economic advisor Njoki Wamitugo among other guests.
Muiruri said they have welcomed the application since it will eliminate cases of hiking fares without the Sacco’s knowledge.
“Some cases of fare hiking, failing to give customers change, lacking of lose change and others will be eliminated. In fact we have registered our vehicles,” he said.
Resident Paul Njau asked the government to support such companies to ensure all matatus are registered with such applications to reduce robberies and carjacking where thugs rob all applicants.
Gichimu asked Saccos to keep the records of their passengers to help the government in contact-tracing of people who may have Covid-19.
The CEO said they have introduced the application in Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Western.
Edited by R.Wamochie
