MY BLUEPRINT FOR THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY

NB:( THIS IS  A ROUGH DRAFT ON HOW TO TACKLE TRANSPORT MENACE, THOUGH THE DATES MAY BE OUT OF ORDER TRY TO UNDERSTAND IT AS I DRAFTED IT SOME YEARS BACK!  IT IS ADJUSTABLE AND CAN BE ADPTED TO SUIT ANY SITUATION, PLEASE READ AND SUPPORT IT IN ANY WAY YOU CAN!!)

                                                          VISION

To have an organized sector where members are guided by and strictly adhere to a code of practice aimed at promoting integrity,fair competition and high standard of professional services while minimizing risks to passengers,matatu owners/workers,non-target individuals and other road users with the aim of bringing sanity,fight crime,and other vices such as corruption,sexual offences,violence etc.

In order top achieve this it shall require a long and patient process involving matatu workers,matatu owners,various groups,passengers,government regulatory bodies,non-governmental organizations,private and public sectors,local and international and other major stakeholders in this sector.

To fully realize this vision,it shall require a minimum of 17(seventeen) years and a maximum of 22(Twenty two)years of commitment,dedication,self disciplinew and above all togetherness. It shall be divided into THREE major levels namely:

1. Phase one-Baby Phase
2. Phase two – Teen phase
3. Phase three-mat phase

BABY PHASE

4. It shall take a minimum of 4(four years) and a maximum of 5(five) years to achieve the desired goal. Futhermore it shall be further sub-divided inti THREE minor sub-phases:

A million man matatu membership drive

Re-stage en-route

Destination passenger on board drive

A MILLION MAN MATATU MEMBERSHIP DRIVE – 2009

It shall take a minimum of 8 months and a maximum of (one) 1 year to fully exhaust the required objective in this sub-stage, A million matatu membership drive shall be a process where by it targets the over on million matatu workers-drivers, conductors,touts and many others. It shall begin by the formation/registration of matatu workers body which in return together with other private institutions local and internetional shall inspire, foster co-operation among members, arbitrate in disputes,provide legal aid to members brought before a court of law,also organize seminars and other activities beneficial to matatu workers,where members shall be educated and trained on the rules and regulations governing matatu industry.

In this seminars workers shall be issued with membership card, having a serial number and a personal identification number, which shall be produced when required.

To reach the desired mark-a million man drive-the association SHALL organize re-creation activities where non-members and members shall interact together with government and private officers responsible for formlation and amendments and regulation affecting the matatu sector.

Registered members SHALL be grouped under respective branches, subbranches etc. Depending on the number of members per every location and ward's.

Elective officers in different ranks SHALL be placed over this members and they (office bearers) will address matters arising thereof, and they shall carry on with the A MILLION MAN DRIVE Campaign.

B=RE-ROUTE EN-ROUTE DRIVE  - 2010.

It is aprocess whereby bus stops and routes are re-organized in a different format other than the normal way of numbering ie route 58,17A,17B etc. In this sub-phase it shall take a minimum of 8(eight) months and a maximum of 1(one)year. It shall run concurrently with the first su-phase.

It shall require the assessment and classification of stages and routes into four different categories.

Major bus stops and routes

Minor bus stops and routes

Non- existent bus stops and routes

MAJOR BUS STOPS AND ROUTES

This bus stops that are situated in busy areas/routes,they are characterized by huge numbers of passengers ranging from school children to the elderly. Passengers boarding matatu's in this stages are prone to exploitation.

Also long traffic jams are the order of the day in this places due to matatu's picking and dropping passengers on the road hence causing obstruction.

Due to stiff competition matatu's operating in this routes are flashly, expensively build and designed, adorned with big,life sze television screens, highly powered hi-tech music systems and blinking miniature lights. Considering the above factors and many others fare prices occassionally rises instantly and without warning.

MINOR BUS STOPS AND ROUTES

1. This are bus stops situated in not so busy areas, never the less they boast of a good number of passengers. Most of them are situated in highly insecure areas-especially at night
2. This stages are very far from residential areas, and passengers mostly wait for long hours before boarding vehicles, hence they prefer to walk to the neaarest major bus stop hereby causing a major scramble while boarding matatus. Its in this push and shoves that pickpockets take advantage of and many passengers loose money and other valuables.
3. Also passengers are prone to being mugged at this bus stages during odd hours.
4. Matatu's operating in this routes, mostly are those that have fallen from major routes and are either sold to new owners or due to stiff competition have transferred to this routes. They are re-furbished and are prone to consistence mechanical break downs.

DULL/DEAD BUS STOPS AND ROUTES

5. This are bus stops that are rerely frequented by passengers because matatu's prefer not to pick passengers at this points due to low turnouts.
6. This stops are situated at dangerous and insecure places,-round dark corners,near junctions etc making it difficult for matatu's to pick/drop passengers without causing major/minor accidents or being hijacked.
7. Due to this reasons and others many matatiu's have withdrawn and few that operate are unreliable (they are usually rickety and worn out) Hence passengers prefer to use other alternative reliable ruotes and means.

NON-EXISTENT BUS STOPS AND ROUTEWS

i.        This are bus stops that do not exist yet passengers stand in this places to board vehicles,they are situated in strategic position-near peoples homes, in front of companies/hospitals/schools gates etc.

ii.      They are preffered by passengers who doesn't prefer to walk to major/minor stages, as a result matatu's usually block this entrances. This stops are found in the above three routes.

iii.    Non-existent routes are those that do not exist or are unopened due to the bad states of the road and passengers have to walk for long distances to access the available means of transport ranging from donkey transport to bada-boda.

iv.    In this sub-phase it shall require the sealing, transfer, expansion and creation of new bus stops and opening up of new routes and this shall be done in collaboration with government regulatory bodies and local authorities responsible for the same.

v.      Route SHALL be elongated, shortened, merged and those that bear no importance shall be done away with. Depending on the need of the passengers.

vi.    With the understanding that the customer is the epicenter of everything that we do and we have the obligation to meet and satisfy his/her needs we shall set up mobile customer care desks in various bus stops/terminus,where passengers complainss, suggestions, inquires etc will be hancdled with outmost care.

vii.  Notices boards shall be erected at strategic locations to create awareness, educate and alert passengers of any developments and matters affecting matatu transport eg change in operation timetable, fare rise and fall etc.

DESTINATION PASSENGERS ON BOARD(2012-2013)

viii.In this third and final sub-stage in the first level of: baby phase: it entails the full co-operation an compliance by the passengers towards achieving this vision, it shall run for a minimum of one and a half years to two years to achieve the desired goal and it involves:

ix.    Education of passengers about their rights and privileges as pertaining to human transport as per traffic rules and regulation, and shall be done through radio/Television programs and by handing out leaflets that vouch for the same.

x.      Passengers SHALL be required to fill “Operational forms”- this are form that disclose passengers operational patterns, they(passengers) will be required to disclose information about their area of residence, place of work, time of departure and arrival, to and from work etc.

xi.    Passengers also will be required to fill”registration forms”- this are forms that grant one membership into the transport sector and they(members) accassionally enjoy privileges ie exemption from paying fares over short distances after which they shall be issued with membership cards, bearing their names and personal identification numbers. Furthermore they shall be divided into two groups namely:

POST-PAID MEMBERSHIP

xii.  This are members who will prefer to pay at the point of travel.

PRE-PAID MEMBER

xiii.This are members who prefer to pay their fares beforehand, and this shall enjoy surmountable discountss.

xiv.Their shall be two groups passengers.

REGISTERED PASSENGERS

UNREGISTERD PASSENGERS

xv.  This are one who shall prefer to be non-members, they will pay their fares at the point of travel and they shall queue to pay using the normal paying rate as per the time of travel.

xvi.Having successfully completed the first phase the project shall steer ahead to thenext level.

TEEN PHASE(PIONEERING)2014-2023

xvii.                      It is the second level of the vision, and it demands a lot of strength, focus, togetherness, soundness of mind and above all patient to achieve the targeted goal. It entails building upon the foundation stage”baby phase” and gearing towards the final stage”mat phase”. It is the pillar of the vision, and it shall require a minimum of 8(eight)years to a maximum 10(ten) years. It is in this phase that we meet the major stakeholders in this matatu sector, and it is further sub-divided into three sub phase:-

xviii.                    A million matatu millionaire inclusive (Jan 2014-Dec 2015)

xix.A million man staff operation (Jan 2016- Dec 2020)

xx.  Destination passenger connection (Jan 2021- Dec 2023)

2A- A MILLION MATATU MILLIONAIRES INCLUSIVE

It is the first sub-phase in this second level, where it shall run for a minimum period of eighteen months to a maximum of 2 (Two) years. It entails the inclusion of more than a million matatu owners who are great pillar towards the achievements of this shall be done through:-

xxi.Matatu owners who are proud to be associated with this vision SHALL be required to:-

a)Tune their vehicles in compliance with the traffic rules and regulations as pertaining to road safety.

b)Register their vehicles under the auspices of “matatus vision 2030”.

c)Employ matatu workers who are members  and part of this vision.

xxii.                      In order to achieve this goal we shall come up with program's seeking to reward and award owners who are compliant and duly register as members. We shall introduce program such as

Matt Comp

xxiii.                    This is a rally race equivalent to safari rally where fully compliant matatus compete through mapped routes, actively involving passengers and matatu crews, at the end of the race winning matatus, crews and participating passengers are rewarded.

Matt Comp

xxiv.                    This is a program where passengers get to vote for best compliant matatus and crews, this too shall be awarded.

Matt Mag

xxv.                      This is amagazine that will rate, inform and educate passengers,matatu owners and matatu workers. It will also give news and views on matters building and affecting this sector, also inform on the development upon this vision.

2B – A MILLION MAN STAFF OPERATION(Jan 2016 – Dec 2020)

xxvi.                    In this second sub phase and second level we acknowledge that matatu workers are a major block towards the succession or failure of this vision. This operation shall run on a minimum of 4 (four) years to a maximum of 5 (five)years.

It is run on basic understanding that diversity in oneness is the mother of success. In this section we seek to recruit coordination staff who will hold the vision together, this shall be drawn from various quarters ranging from matatu member workers-drivers and conductors-willing and volunteering passengers to government security forces. This shall be divided into three diverse sub-groups:

a)         Inspectors/stage men

b)         Security team

Continuation matatu 2030

They shall be divided into two groups namely:-

5. Ground staff operators
6. official staff operators

1.         GROUND OPERATORS

These are mebers and non-members who are recruited from various categories in this industry an they shall co-ordinate, oversee, direct, usher and dispatch passengers and drivers into their respective destinations. They shall be sub-divided into THREE coordinating sub-groups.

VIII.                    Stage Men

IX. Security team

X.    Inspectors

STAGE MEN

These are well trained men posted at various bus stops (major/minor) and among their duties shall be:- directing passengers in queues to board and to a light vehicles, assist in loading and offloading of goods and luggages also to direct incoming matatus and dispatching outgoing ones. They shall be posted at random and according to the number of passengers per stop.

SECURITY MEN

This shall be a co-ordination of private and government security forces who shall be responsible for body and luggage ssearches hence hindering the transportation of illegal arms and goods, hi-jacking and crime from taking place in these stops.

INSPECTORS

This will be sectors, and they shall be responsible for the smooth running, safety of passengers and overall co-ordination in this departments. They shall check for ticket defaulters, staff who flaut traffic laws, and mechanical state of vehicles. These too shall undergo strict training and will be further sub-divided into three sub-groups:-

1. On board inspectors

These are travelling passengers who are aboard vehicles and they are requested to part with information that may be of impportance, information such as reckless/careless driving, drunk drivers, un-roadworthy vehicles etc.

2. Chief inspectors

These are mobile footmen situated at strategic positions, routes and major/minor bus stops. They shall counter check tickets, inspect state of vehicles/drivers/routes and take appropriate actions.

3. Motor-hoppers

These are mobile staff on motor-cycles who patrol major/minor routes. Their main responsibilities will be to alert drivers on no go zones and re-direct them (drivers) into alternative routes, also assist in opening up roads as a result of vehicles stalled/break down in the middle of the road and also call for rescue in such times. Furthermore they will arbitrate on minor accidents, and also direct the flow of matatu traffic.

2.         OFFICIAL STAFF OPERATORS

This are senior trained,qualified and experienced sub-ordinate staff that shall be responsible for handling information pertaining to passengers,the million man staff and million man matatu millionaires. Also they shall handle money transactions and monitories isssues. This shall be achieved by collaboration with supportive pillar – the matatu owners millionaires. For efficient service delivery this officials will be divided into TWO sub-groups:

a)Information collectors/handlers

b) A million shilling purse staff

(a)    INFORMATION COLLECTORS / HANDLERS

They shall take information from passengers,matatu workers,matatu sub-ordinate staff pertaining to complains,mode of operation(for passengers and staff alike). number of passengers boarding matatu (per vehicle) etc, and hereafter release a travel time table,operational timetable, exact number of staff and the exact amount of money transacted and the exact amount of money required per evey operational vehicle, as reflected on the operational timetable. They shall co-ordinate with the ground staff.

(b)   A MILLION SHILLING PURSE STAFF

This shall handle funds and other relevant revenues that shall emanate thereof as a result of business transactions – this transactions shall be vital as they will alleviate the rise and fall of fare prices – transport fares etc.

(c)        DESTINATION PASSENGER COMFORT - ( Jan 2022 -Dec 2023)

In this third and last sub-phase of the second phase it entails the classification of passengers into different groups,same destinations,same time of operations and different bodily capabilities and inabilities. It will require a minimum of 18(eighteen) months and a maximum of two years to fully achieve the desired goal. This will be done through public by the abolition of route numbering and bus stop naming,since this have not solved transport woos we shall introduce a new mode of stage naming,and we shall opt for stage's to be numbered instead. This will alleviate congestion in town centres since passengers will not have to go through centres to connect to their destinies,they will be dropped there through other roads.

For easy,efficient and timely services passengers SHALL be divided into five groups.

1)Students

2) Workers

3)Weaker members of society

4)V.I.P's

5)Others

1)STUDENTS

This are school going children's  ranging from promary schools,high schools to college boys and girls. In collaboration with education departments and co-operating school authorities,there will be the introduction of public school buses. This SHALL serve members of this category only,on an appropriate schedule.

2) WORKERS

This are working men and women in order to serve the better without inconviniences, loss of money and valuable time they SHALL be required to divulge necessary,relevant travel information. Inn co-ordination with companies authorities there will be the introduction of public staff bus which shall be driven on affixed schedule towards the “working nation” dream.

3) WEAKER MEMBERS OF SOCIETY

These are the disabled,sicxk,aged and the vulnerable members of the society inorder to save lives and retain respect in the society,these shall be given first priorities in crucial cases. Special vehicles will be introduced to meet their varying needs.

4) V.I.P's

These are very important persons of this nation and the SHALL be treated with the honor they deserve. They will also be given first priorities when it comes to queueing and other protocols. They will travel in first class vehicles/buses.

5) OTHERS

This are the non- members and this will be required to undergo the full process of travelling which entails queuing,paying,body/luggage search then dispatch

MAT PHASE – (JAN – DEC 2029)

Having successfully completed the second phase we shall embark on the third and final phase”mat phase” MAT – is a short form of matatu and also maturity. It will take a minimum of 5(five) years to a maximum of 6(six) years. It is where the vision is translated from the mind into rreality. It is sub-divided into three sub-phases

a) Analyzing

b) Homework's

c) Conclusion

a) ANALYZING – (JAN – DEC 2025)

This is the first sub-phase in the third and last phase. It entails the deep analytical and critical search out for failures,shortcomings,triumphs and success. It will take a minimum of 18(eighteen) months up to a maximum of 2(two) years. An all round evaluation SHALL be done and an internal recommendfation report of the same released at the end of the required period.

b)HOMEWORK'S(JAN 2026 – DEC 2028)

In this second sub-phase it entails the working and adoption of the recommendation report. It will teke a minimum of two years to a maximum of three years. It entails taking appropriate measures like repairing repairable damages,and dispensing thedisposable's – it is his level that conductors shall be done away with, the conclusion of other necessary members,groups and individuals.

c) CONCLUSION(JAN 2028 – DEC 2029)

In this final sub-phase and final phase of this vision it shall take a maximum of 12(twelve) months and it shall entail the closing and realization of the vision. It is the issuance of a report from independent sources to the public a vote of thanks, a statement of faith and setting up of another mission mark dubbed VISION 2052 and it entails building upon VISION 2030 achievements and still aiming for an advanced transport system so as not to be left behind with the ever advancing ELECTRONIC WORLD.