Kenyan electric bus importer, BasiGO, has expanded its fleet size.
The Nairobi-based company says the new fleet of 15 buses was en route from Mombasa and would be tested for the remaining days in January before handing over.
Marketing and Communications manager Mutoro Sifuma today told The Standard the new fleet was the same model as those used in the pilot programme.
“For the past nine months, we have been conducting a pilot program to test the feasibility of the buses on key routes. We are only expanding the fleet so that we can get more consumer experience before we hand over next month,” Sifuma said.
She said they are executing the plan hand in hand with various Saccos.
According to her, the pilot plan has been carried out in partnership with City Hoppa and City Shuttle.
“Our aim is to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible and for sure we can attest that over 60 tons have been reduced in the same period saving over 27,000 litres of diesel and Sh4 million worth of fuel,” she said.
Sifuma said in the same period, they had not encountered an incident where the buses had stalled for being driven in water as had been alleged.
“These buses are less costly to maintain. On average, they have done between 8 and 9 trips a day covering 200km between the CBD and Eastland areas. That would be four to- and-from-trips between Nairobi and Ngong which is 25kms. We have a charging station at our Embakasi depot where they fully charge at night to allow them to fully operate during the day,” she said.
Sifuma said with the expansion of the fleet, another charging station will be introduced on Waiyaki Way to cater for the buses that will serve the route and Thika Road.
