Blow For Super Metro As NTSA Suspends Expansion Of Nairobi Matatu Saccos

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Monday, April 24 suspended the expansion by Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) to different points within Nairobi and its environs from their base of operations.

NTSA stated that the move was so that the authority could address concerns about traffic congestion across the capital city while coming up with strategies to reduce road accidents in the country.

"To address traffic congestion concerns, the Authority hereby halts PSV route extensions and variations in Nairobi and environs until an assessment of facilities available is conducted," stated the authority.

The suspension affected popular matatu saccos such as Super Metro, which has been rapidly expanding across the Nairobi Metropolitan and reaching out to customers living in various satellite towns by tapping into key routes to stamp its authority in the industry.

In addition, its affordable fares compared to other matatu saccos and professionalism, especially among its conductors have made Super Metro a fan favourite amongst Nairobi commuters.

The Sacco was well known for operating the Kikuyu Route 105 and along Thika road (Juja 236 to Makongeni 237) routes before it expanded quickly to other routes to meet customer demand.

In addition, it has put in place strict rules that investors, drivers and conductors have to follow or risk being kicked out of the sacco.

This includes the vehicles being in tip-top shape all the time and if a bus is spotted having broken down while ferrying passengers could attract disciplinary action.

Super Metro's continued desire for improvement in service delivery to Nairobi commuters has helped it win over its customer base, with Nairobians opting to withstand long queues at its termini in the Central Business District (CBD) to get a customer-first service.

The sacco had before the suspension recently expanded to the Nairobi-Kahawa West route, much to the annoyance of native matatu saccos which staged protests on Tuesday, April 18, the day after the expansion.

The PSVs belonging to Zuri Genesis, Nazigi Sacco and other matatu saccos paralysed operations along the Roysambu road as well as the Kahawa West roundabout and had no passengers being picked up or dropped off at the designated stages.