Epesi trip planner launches in Nairobi to ease public commuter services

Kenyan ICT Company offering public transport automation and App payment solutions has launched a bus scheduling system it developed and purposed for better planning, efficiency, and transparency in the running of public transportation.

Dubbed; MobitiTill Epesi, the system is a first of its kind in Kenya, targeted at public transport especially the Matatu Bus Companies and Saccos. It was launched by Data Integrated Ltd to help use mobile apps and control, monitor and route vehicles at the bus company offices instead of manual boards. The trip planner is an easy, effective and affordable way for public transportation and management of fleets.

In most modern transport systems, this is how public transport is operated and the Nairobi public transport planning team and transport ministry will be able to utilize the dash boards or control rooms to organise and plan the buses movements if they like.

“Matatus are authentically Kenyan, They serve an important need. All they need is technology, collaboration and good infrastructure to make them thrive. While the government has done well to expand infrastructure, they lag behind when it comes to technology. Technology will help us to better plan for our city and reduce traffic jams,” says Mary Mwangi the CEO of Data Integrated Limited.

Ms Mwangi says that the ultimate end game is to have a formalized public transport system that will benefit passengers and that is predictable, safe and well organized. “Soon, passengers will be able to plan, monitor & book matatus online. This will save them time,” she says.

Traffic jams and congestion at bus stops, cash leakages, lack of efficiency and transparency and tedious manual processes are some of the challenges that Matatu Saccos face when managing their buses.

Epesi Trip Planner answers to these problems. The vehicle scheduling platform queues, routes, maps, and manages rides, drivers & conductors in real-time. The solution was successful tested at City Shuttle Bus Company, before its unveiling.

“As a bus company we have greatly benefited from the trip planner. The manual system was prone to error and we lacked critical data to make business decisions. The errors and human interference led us to lose a lot of money. With this system, we are minimizing errors, serving our customers better and improving our revenues. We are looking forward to introducing an app for passengers where they can easily monitor and get information on our vehicles,” says Martin Karuga, the Chief Executive Officer of City Shuttle Bus Company.

The system which is customizable to each bus company needs, meets local demands a clear illustration that Kenyan companies are capable of developing superior solutions that solves local problems.

Speaking at the event, ICT Authority, Director of Partnerships, Innovation & Capacity, Ms Eunice Kariuki, said innovation is key to the growth of the local economy. She lauded the solution for its ability to solve Kenyan problems using local resources and skills.

“This is what the Big Four Agenda is all about. For affordable housing to be achieved, we need to make our public transport efficient. That way Kenyans can live miles away, and access the city easily,” she said.

Data Integrated currently works with more than 80 public transport companies that includes matatus, ferries and commercial fleet companies. Epesi Trip Planner is part of the company full Public Transport Solutions that aims at streamlining the country transport system by building a market place for public transport. Other solutions include Public Transport Operations Management, Trip planning & Passenger Security System and Public Transport Revenue Management System.