Establishing The Need For Public Transport Service In Thika Town

Abstract

Intra - urban public transport service is a significant input in the development of any town. It is that means of travel which facilitates faster mobility of the people wishing to travel to places within and about the town for which a government controlled tariff is charged. This input is however lacking in medium size towns of many developing countries. It exists only in the main capital cities and big towns. The study undertaken by the author endeavoured to establish need for establishing public transport service in Thika town one of the medium size to' ns in Kenya. Lack of intra-urban public transport service in Thika has resulted into long travel times due to long travel distances to activity areas found in Thika. The fact that these activity areas (land uses) are located in different sites within the town enhances need to travel and hence increases travel demand. The travel times and distances arc increasing clue to the rapid growth of the town. The town* s growth is ensured by its industrial development which is on the increase. Majority of trips made in Thika are on foot as the vast majority of the residents cannot afford to own cars. Walking the predominant mode of travel was found to be costly in terms of time and inconvenience. In view of the anticipated future growth of the town, walking would therefore be wore costly and inadequate. Consequently an alternative mode of travel which would be less costly, reliable and convenient is needed Thika town was found to have conditions which are necessary for the establishment of intra-urban public transport service such as high level of business and employment activities, low level of car - ownership, steadily increasing urban population and increasing travel distances. On the basis of these conditions, establishment of an internal public transport service involving small public transport vehicles (mini—buses) was found necessary