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The Mombasa county government has plans to introduce a Bus Rapid Transit System [BRTS] which will be cost effective.
County executive in charge of transport Taufiq Balala argued that 99 per cent of county residents use public transport.
He said the traffic snarl ups are caused by a few individuals who own vehicles in the county.
“Majority of the county residents don’t own vehicles and that is why BRST is the best and solution,” he said.
Balala refuted claims the expansion of the road network and investing in the construction of bridges won’t end congestion in urban areas and cities.
He spoke when making his presentation during a Mombasa-Kisumu-Nairobi non-motorized transport peer learning forum held at English Point Marina Hotel in Nyali constituency, Mombasa county.
Balala said the solution to traffic jams and snarl-ups is to invest in BRTS adding that it is a cheaper mode of transport than an express tram service.
“The percentage cost of putting up the system is less than what the government is spending in the improvement of the road network,” he pointed out.
The County executive in charge of transport told the forum the government spends Sh 180 billion on the improvement and expansion of the road network.
Balala said the county would require Sh 1 billion to introduce the BRTS whose aim is to save on the cost of the expansion of the road network.
He said the move will save the government a lot of money which can be diverted to healthcare.
“The money saved can be used to improve the standard of healthcare in the county,” he added.