Popular City Matatu Sacco SuperMetro has received its first electric bus from Basi Go. During the handover, SuperMetro announced that the bus will ply the CBD-Kikuyu and CBD Kitengela routes. The bus is a K6 Electric Bus which is a 25-seat, 100% electric bus designed by BYD Automotive, the world’s leading manufacturer of electric buses. According to basi-go.com, the K6 Electric bus features a 250 Kilometre of silent, emissions-free driving range and a recharge time of less than 4 hours.
Over the last few years, Kenya has experienced a paradigm shift where motorists have been taking up electric cars. Basi Go has been one of the players trying to revolutionize the public service transport sector by introducing fully electric buses. Players in the matatu sector have had different views about electric buses many seem to be open to the idea. Already, two other saccos within Nairobi, that is; CitiHoppa and East Shuttle have electric buses from Basi Go.
During their offloading at the Mombasa Port, information was rife that some matatu SACCOs especially those operating within Nairobi had already placed orders for electric buses and this latest acquisition by SuperMetro confirms the same. This electric bus is one of the 15 partially assembled that Basi Go received last year in November.
The buses were then moved to Associated Vehicle Assemblers Ltd (AVA) for final assembly and finishing before making their way to Nairobi for delivery to PSV customers. The assembly of the buses was completed in January and Basi Go announced that Kenyans should expect their launch under different matatu saccos and transport companies.
Basi Go continues to expand its horizons in Kenya. Recently, it announced its partnership with Associated Vehicle Assemblers Ltd (AVA) to assemble its buses in Mombasa as it projects to make over 1,000 electric buses by the year 2025. Late last year, the company managed to secure $6.6 million in new funding from various Venture Capital Firms to enable the company to begin commercial delivery of locally manufactured electric buses and charging infrastructure through the company’s unique Pay-As-You-Drive financing model.
SuperMetro Sacco
SuperMetro is one of the few Matatu Saccos in Nairobi and maybe Kenya as a whole that is known for restoring sanity in the Public Service Vehicles (PSV) sector from the color of their buses to the cleanliness of the buses, to the respectful nature of their crew. The buses under the Sacco do not blurt out loud music. Different from some rogue matatu operators, SuperMetro crew will stick to the recommended fare price and this is not hiked as is the case with some operators. These are among the traits that have continued to make SuperMetro gain favor among travellers.
It has amassed loyal clientele that would rather bear long queues than entertain the thought of using buses and matatus from other rivals which at times charge cheaper. Many Kenyans have even made jokes that the management of our National Carrier; Kenya Airways, should be handed to SuperMetro as it is one of the Saccos that has stood out amidst the chaotic nature of the Public Service Vehicles (PSV) sector. It continues to expand and make inroads into many areas around Nairobi. In 2021, Super Metro acquired a bus that plys long-distance routes mainly to the Western parts of Kenya and which frequent travelers have come to love.
With the advent of their inaugural Electric Bus, SuperMetro announced that they have acquired the bus to offer their customers a top-notch ride experience and look forward to hearing positive feedback from their drivers and passengers. Does this mark the beginning of a complete shift by the Sacco from Diesel-powered buses? Will other Saccos and Matatu operators follow suit?
Young Lawyer with a passion for vehicles.
Upcoming Motor Journalist.
L'écriture est ma passion.
Nissan Patrol Y 62 is the goal.
www.karimi.co.ke
karimi@spaceyamagari.com
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