Kenya has the desire to actualize the Bus Rapid Transit system to make public transport cost-effective and more efficient. However, this desire has hit several impediments including financial shortage.
To boost the BRT dream, Kenya has received hed a Ksh50 billion ($378 million) financing from the European Union.
The agreement was made after a meeting with Kenyan President, William Ruto, and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at the European Union Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
As part of the agreement, the upcoming Green Mobility-Nairobi core bus rapid transit line 3 (BRT 3) will feature zero-emission electric buses and will introduce intelligent transport system features; affordable fare setting; inclusion of access to the public transport system for youth, women and low-income households; and address traveller safety.
President Ruto reiterated Kenya’s commitment to a green transition as envisaged in the country’s climate change mitigation plan.
Kenya plans to join other African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa after being behind schedule since it started in 2019.
In February last year, the country announced it would only operate EVs on the BRT system The new funding is expected to go a long way in actualizing the country’s dream to finally operationalize BRT, particularly in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.
