PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM * Kenya - The "Matatus" in
Kenya -The Angry Economist.russnelson.com -19 Jan 2008: -- ... There are 80,000 matatus on Kenyan roads, most of which are owned and operated by Kikuyu. I estimate that a matatu has an income of $100,000 per year: on average each Kenyan spends over $200 per year for matutu transportation. The conductor rents the vehicle for the day, including the driver, and pays for gas and other expenses keeping whatever is left over at the end of the day. So, he has to push and push to make sure that he doesn't actually lose money. The relationship between the conductor -- who is always trying to increase the price of the ride, stuff more people into the vehicle, and get the driver to go faster -- leads to amazing antagonism. There is no customer service, but customer dis-service. The riders continually believe that they are being abused and taken advantage of. This happens almost every time one gets into a matatu... (Video from YouTube, by hafidy -January 16, 2008 -"Kenya Summer Vacation, Matatu ride-part 7"
We rode in Matatu's daily. They can be cramped at times, especially if you have long legs like me. The good side about them is that they are cheap, costing between 15 to 30 shillings depending on where you are going. Divide that by 65 which is the rate on the dollar)
Labels: public transport systems
posted by Unknown @ 5:04 PM
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