Nairobi Launches Fixed Fare and Timetabled Bus System Under BRT Pilot
NAIROBI, Kenya
Commuters in Nairobi are witnessing a new chapter in the city's transport evolution with the official rollout of scheduled buses and fixed fares under the Route 111 pilot initiative, led by the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NAMATA).
This trial marks a pivotal shift from the traditional matatu culture where vehicles wait to fill up before departing. With the new model, buses operate on a fixed schedule, improving predictability and efficiency for commuters travelling between Ngong Bus Park and the Central Business District (CBD).
Route 111 Sets the Stage for Citywide Transport Reform
The pilot, which began just three months after Nairobi secured €320 million (Ksh 43.4 billion) in funding for its Clean Core Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line 3, is expected to be a litmus test for wider adoption across the city.
Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar highlighted the importance of industry collaboration in the project's success. “The Route 111 Pilot demonstrates that unity among stakeholders can provide real solutions for daily commuter challenges,” he said.
NAMATA emphasized that the combination of scheduled services and fixed fares brings much-needed structure to Nairobi’s chaotic transport system. Commuters can now plan their journeys with clarity, and pricing remains consistent, eliminating daily fare fluctuations.
International Partnerships Driving BRT Expansion
The renewed momentum behind Nairobi’s BRT program is largely due to substantial international backing. The current BRT Line 3 is being funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the European Union (EU), who all finalized funding terms earlier this year.
This phase includes constructing a 12-kilometre stretch from Dandora to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) via Juja Road. The next phases will connect Tala to Dandora and KNH to Ngong, dramatically increasing BRT coverage.
Separately, the Sh7.3 billion BRT Line 5—planned for Outer Ring Road—is being financed by the Korean Exim Bank and South Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund. It will include electric vehicle (EV) charging points, dedicated bus lanes, and high-tech safety features such as CCTV and vehicle enforcement systems.
Five BRT Lines to Transform Urban Mobility
Nairobi’s long-term vision includes five major BRT lines under the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan, each targeting critical transport corridors to combat congestion.
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Line 1 (Ndovu): Limuru to Kitengela via CBD
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Line 2 (Simba): Rongai to Kenol through Lang’ata and Ruiru
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Line 3: Dandora to KNH (currently under construction)
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Line 4: Yet to be detailed publicly
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Line 5: Outer Ring Road, funded by Korean partners
Line 2, which is nearly 70% complete, will feature 13 intermediate stations and 24 boarding platforms. A park-and-ride facility is being developed at Kasarani to encourage motorists to leave their vehicles and use BRT buses into the city centre.
Public Transport at a Turning Point
With growing pressure to modernize its urban transit system, Nairobi’s move to pilot fixed fares and timetabled buses may offer a scalable blueprint for other Kenyan cities. As the Route 111 pilot continues, feedback from commuters and stakeholders will be instrumental in determining whether this structured model can replace the current informal system that millions rely on daily.
