Why baby matatus, planes are popular with the masses

Baby matatus are the last mile carriers in Kenya. They carry a few passengers and take a shorter time to fill up. Fewer than 14 passengers in standard matatus. And they must be profitable. Shorter distances are pricier.

They are almost the size of salon cars. Seen them in most estates and rural areas? Remember Ng’othis around Kikuyu town in the past? 

The price of baby matatus moderates the bus fare; the laws of economics come into play. They are affordable, with their numbers leading to competition. 

The baby matatus aggregate passengers into buses, minibuses and even trains. They are complemented by walking, motorbikes and taxis for those in a hurry. It’s a familiar pattern during peak hours. What appears chaotic is orderly and mimics air travel.

Small planes like Embraer or Bombardier like the baby matatus collect passengers from regions to the hubs. They normally carry few passengers, usually less than 100, bringing them to the hubs just like the bus stations.

They then aggregate their passengers into bigger jets like the Boeing 777 or Airbus series including the A380. 

Regional airlines

Most airlines have hubs, where passengers are aggregated. For example, KQ has Nairobi, Emirates has Dubai, and KLM has Schiphol. 

This hub and spoke model is also being challenged by point-to-point connections.

Southwest Airlines used this model to become one of the most successful regional airlines in the United States (US), without seat reservations - Jambo Jet tried that once.

Matatus are also trying that. Customers are applauding. You can get a matatu from Westlands to Thika without going through the city centre (hub), and you can get one from Kitengela to Upper Hill.

Such point-to-point trips save customers time and money, they are usually cheaper.  

To be nostalgic, that was the Kenya Bus Service model. A bus from Dandora could end up in Kawangware. We knew the buses that “crossed” the city.

Next time you pick a baby matatu, a bus or even a train, remember they are interdependent. 

One much-needed innovation in our transport and logistic network is to integrate all the modes of transport - rail, water, airports, roads and walking. Check the developed countries that we admire.

Why is the standard gauge railway (SGR) not connected to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)? Synergy should be built into our transport and logistics systems.

The savings in time and money will cheer up the much-needed economic growth.