In a statement, NMS, which is led by General Mohamed Badi stated that the terminus will not be opened to the public on Tuesday as earlier communicated.
It explained that the putting off of the launch follows a request made by matatu operators on the affected routes to have the window for their vacation from the Railways terminus extended.
“NMS wishes to notify the public that the operationalization of the Green Park Bus Terminal that was set to commence on May 24, has been postponed following a request for time extension by PSV operators. The new date will be duly communicated.
On May 18, NMS declared that the ultra-modern bus park would be opening to the public in phases, serving PSVs plying Ngong Road and Argwings Kodhek routes beginning May 24.
Vehicles operating on Lang’ata, Bunyala and Lusaka roads were scheduled to commence using the station on May 27.
According to the plan, PSVs plying the aforementioned routes would not be allowed into the Central Business District (CBD).
The terminal was established in a bid to ease congestion at the Nairobi Railways terminus and reduce traffic within the city to create an efficient transport system as envisioned in the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan (NIUPLAN).
“The terminal aims to decongest the CBD of vehicular traffic, reduce travel time, improve commuter experiences and encourage the use of public transport as a preference to private transport,” stated NMS.
Other than the request by PSV operators, the unveiling of the Green Park terminus faced another hurdle after the main contractor of the project threatened to move to court to stop the opening, claiming non-payment.
Speaking to the media on May 22, Osborne Yogo of Fairton Agencies claimed that his quest to be paid turned into a cat and mouse game involving him and the China Roads and Bridges Corporation (CRBC). He gave the NMS 24 hours to address the issue.
“We will move to court seeking an injunction to make sure that this facility is not launched by Tuesday as planned because there is no way the president (Uhuru Kenyatta) can launch the place while it has not been paid for,” Yogo stated.
In addition, the delay in the opening of the Ksh250 million Green Park Terminal was due to the construction of the 27km Nairobi Expressway which runs from Mlolongo to James Gichuru Road in Westlands.
Source: KENYAGIST.COM
