Research published by the Ministry of Transport showed the transport sector accounts for 8.3% of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The road transport network is served by buses, matatus, taxis, ride-hailing services, bodabodas (motorcycles) and tuk-tuks (three-wheelers). Which long-distance buses ply Nairobi-Mombasa route?
1. Modern Coast
Modern Coast bus company was owned by the late Kenyan billionaire Shahid Pervez. Pervez left behind a KSh 5 billion empire after he was shot dead by unknown people on July 11, 2014. The tycoon was behind Modern Coast Road Transporters, which was among the best managed long-distance bus companies in Kenya. In April 2022, the High Court settled an eight-year Pervez property succession case that saw his children and two widows take control of the business, Daily Nation reported. Pervez’s wife Akhtar and her son Haroon, Regine and her two children (minors) became the beneficiaries of the KSh 5 billion business empire. The company charges KSh 1,300 as fare from Nairobi to Mombasa. Modern Coast bus has Wi-Fi, reclining seats, air conditioning, and entertainment systems.
2. Mash Poa
Mash East Africa was founded in 2002, and its general manager in the region is Lennox Shallo. It was previously named Mash Bus Services Ltd before it was rebranded. Mash Poa boasts a fleet of luxurious buses, including the Scania A 80, which offers free Wi-Fi services. One of the features of the bus is a section dubbed Mash Cool, with air conditioning. The first-class sitting section is in front, while the business-class section is at the back. It has reclining seats to offer comfort for long distances.
3. Tahmeed Express
Tahmeed Express is one of the luxurious buses plying the Nairobi-Mombasa highway and other routes. According to its website, its luxury model buses boast free Wi-Fi, electrical charging outlets, DVD players, reclining seats, air conditioning and flat-screen TVs. The bus company has been in the market for over a decade. Abdulrahman Shatry is the director. Its other destinations are Nairobi – Kampala, Nairobi – Dar es Salaam, Mombasa – Dar es Salaam. Mombasa – Malaba and Mombasa – Kitale.
4. Dreamline Express
Dreamline buses cover daily distances from Nairobi to Mombasa, Nairobi to Kampala, Malindi to Nairobi, and Mombasa to Kisumu. It is owned by Abdulraham Abdulaziz. Its passenger prices are set according to different parameters, including the distance one travels and the seat number. The categories are divided into VIP, business class, and normal categories. The VIP category from Nairobi to Mombasa costs KSh 2,000.
5. Simba Coach
Simba Coach uses Scania and Golden Dragon Bus Models, with most having a well-fitted red carpet aimed at giving passengers the red carpet treat. Besides featuring recliner seats, it has an LCD big screen for VIP passengers. On board are snacks, refreshments and movies. Mustafa Denajad is the managing director of Simba Coach. Easy Coach’s success story Easy Coach was founded by Azym Dossa, who ventured into the transport industry after working for 17 years at a transport company. It operates from Nairobi to different regions in North Rift, South Rift, Nyanza, Western Kenya, and Kampala, Uganda. Dossa noted that following the success of Western Kenya routes, he plans to expand the business to other regional markets such as Rwanda and Tanzania. How Form 4 dropout established Super Metro In related news, Super Metro Sacco was co-founded by Nelson Mwangi and 13 other directors in 2013 to restore sanity in the matatu sector. The Sacco has, in the last few years, revolutionised the commuter transport in Nairobi, attracting the attention of Kenyans. Mwangi used his savings to purchase matatus, which became his side hustle. As the fleet grew, he and 13 others formed the Super Metro Company Limited BY TUKO NEWS
BY TUKO NEWS