BasiGO, a Nairobi-based electric bus importer, has extended its fleet.
According to the report, the new fleet of 15 buses was on its way from Mombasa and will be tested for the remainder of January before being handed over.
Mutoro Sifuma, Marketing and Communications Manager, told The Standard today that the new fleet was the same model as those utilized in the trial program.
“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.
Kenya are we ready? 15 Electric ⚡💥💡 buses coming to our roads soon. Look out for these state of the art electric buses on your routes.@Ma3Route #BasiGomovement #RideElectric #ElectricVehicles pic.twitter.com/Y5OYryPtYu
— BasiGo Kenya 🇰🇪 (@BasiGoKenya) January 19, 2023
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.
An interior view of the Basigo 100 per cent electric bus.
[Samson Wire, Standard]
“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.
