Nairobi expressway users to top up using USSD code

Nairobi Expressway users will now top up their cards from their houses, using a USSD code.

Moja Expressway, a subsidiary of China Road and Bridge Corporation, on Monday said motorists can either top up via mobile banking applications or the USSD code

The operator said Kenyans can visit the website for more information regarding the application and usage of online toll cards. 

“To top up ETC and MTC cards you can use; Stanbic Kenya Bank app, Standard Chartered Bank app, NCBA app 4, by dialling *208# or by visiting our website,” reads the notice.

Once one dials the short code, one is directed on how to pay depending on the selection of choices.

How to Top Up

Dial the USSD code *208# and select from the three options: 

Register for mobile banking,  activate a dormant account or pay for Nairobi Expressway.

Once you choose, option 3 to access the top-up Main Menu.

1. 1. Prepaid card and Electronic OBU top up
2. 2. Manage my prepaid cards and electronic OBU

Select option 1. 

Indicate whether you’re paying as an individual or for a corporate. 

Individual, Corporate, Go Back and Return to Menu

One is then required to enter their ID number or company PIN

Enter the MTC Card/ On-Board Unit (OBU) Number 

Enter amount

Press send.

To start using the expressway, motorists were required to visit the main service centre at Nairobi Expressway Plaza along Mombasa Road and fill in the Service Subscriber Registration Form.

However, Moja Expressway company had announced various points in Nairobi where interested motorists can register and seek information on the expressway.

The registration includes installation of the On-Board Unit for Electronic Toll Collection Service or the Manual Toll Collection.

The MTC operates like a credit card and will be periodically topped up through electronic payments. It will cost you Sh1,300, including the Sh300 service charge.

The Sh1,000 is loaded onto the card. The MTC users get a pass voucher at the entry point, which will be submitted at the toll station before exiting. 

With the pass voucher, the toll station will calculate the amount to be deducted depending on the entry point and the distance covered.

Motorists opting to use the ETC service, which offers fast and easy transit, are not subjected to many hitches.

They have the On-Board Unit device, a communication device mounted on vehicles.

One will be required to produce the national ID and the logbook of the vehicle being registered for Sh3,000, comprising Sh1,000  service charge and Sh2,000 to be loaded onto the card.

Once they get to the entry point, the device is detected by the screens and automatically granted access to the expressway in about two minutes.

The expressway seeks to decongest Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway and Waiyaki Way but has experienced traffic since it was opened to the public.

The road has 11 tolling stations, 54 toll plazas, and 54 cameras along the  27km expressway, with 126 cameras inside the toll plazas.

The road is monitored with recordings being done at 30 minutes intervals.

There’s a smart monitoring system that detects congestion, spillage, vehicle reversals, pedestrian crossing and emergencies 

The dual carriageway has 11 interchanges at Mlolongo, Standard Gauge Railway, JKIA, Eastern Bypass, Southern Bypass, Capital Centre, Haile Selassie Avenue, Museum Hill, Westlands, and James Gichuru Road.

The expressway, with 18.2km on the ground and 8.9km elevated, is a class A, four-lane dual carriageway with a design speed of 80km per hour.

The project is one of outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s legacy.    BY THE STAR