Modern Coast Bus Company to Ply East African Routes After Suspension by Kenya’s Transport Ministry

• The Modern Coast bus operation licence was revoked again by Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen barely a month after it was reinstated
• The company said it will not ply the Mombasa-upcountry, Nairobi-Malindi, and Nairobi upcountry routes
• It indicated it will offer passenger services on the Nairobi-Kampala, Nairobi–Kigali and Nairobi-Bujumbura routes and vice versa

The Modern Coast Bus company has said it will continue plying the East African routes after Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen directed the suspension of its operations.

In a statement issued on its Facebook page on Saturday, December 31, the company said it will not ply the Mombasa-upcountry, Nairobi-Malindi, and Nairobi upcountry routes.

However, it indicated it will offer passenger services on the Nairobi-Kampala, Nairobi–Kigali and Nairobi-Bujumbura routes and vice versa.

“Customers who had booked advance tickets on the affected routes shall be booked to travel with another bus company to their respective destinations, same date and at the same time,” it stated.

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The company notified its customers that it shall continue to offer courier services.

“All our offices countrywide shall remain open for parcel services and cross boarder bookings,” it added.

Why Modern Coast was suspended

The Modern Coast bus operation licence was revoked again, barely a month after it was reinstated.

This followed the December 28, 2022 accident involving Modern Coast Bus registration number T247DKE, from Mombasa to Homa Bay.

The accident which occurred at River Masosa at Makutano Junction in Kisii left one person dead and scores injured.

“Following the December 28 incident, I have directed NTSA to suspend all operations of the Modern Coast bus company with immediate effect as investigations continue,” said Murkomen.

Murkomen directed the company to ensure that passengers who had booked trips were facilitated for safe and seamless travel.

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The accident raised concerns at the management of the long-distance bus company, three months after the July 24 incident that left 36 people dead.

The National Transport Authority (NTSA) suspended its operations for three months, until November 2022 when its licence was reinstated.

SGR fully booked

At the same time, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) passenger trains from Mombasa to Nairobi are fully booked as the festive season comes to a close.

Kenya Railways managing director Philip Mainga said they added more coaches on the Mombasa-Nairobi route over the high demand.

Passengers onboard SGR pay KSh 1,000 for the economy class while the business class costs KSh 3,000.

Local airlines have on the other hand tripled ticket costs to meet the rising demand.

Source: TUKO.co.ke