Commuters pay the price for Embassava ban
Commuters plying various city routes have been forced to pay increased fares in the wake of a shortage of public transport occasioned by an abrupt suspension to one of the industry’s major player.
This follows a blanket suspension of Embassava Sacco’s fleet of 250 minibuses from operating by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) last week.
This development prompted other public transport vehicles operators plying the Eastland routes to revise their fares upwards in anticipation of increased market.
A spot check by Nairobi News, discovered that commuters heading to Doonholm, Savannah, Jacaranda and Pipeline estates are paying an increased fare of atleast Sh 10, during both peak and off peak hours.
NEW RULES
Royal and Mwamba Sacco minibuses are the biggest beneficiaries of Embassava’s absence.
Meanwhile, NTSA Director General Francis Meja confirmed the decision to ban the whole Sacco was as informed by the new set of rules.
The ban was enforced after an Embassava matatu adjudged to have been carelessly driven, knocked down and killed a pedestrian along Jogoo Road.
“We have suspended them until they fulfill the conditions we have set for them,” Meja said.
Sources suggest the Embassava vehicles could resume operations in two weeks’ time.