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The transport sector is a major driver of the economy and in this regard, I believe that we have a lot to thank Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) for. I could bet that you used a PSV to get to work today or that you used them a couple of times last month. Well, if you have not, then I can bet that the hustles of PSVs are the reason why you saved up to buy the car you drive around nowadays. Or that you have used a PSV at some point in your life.
If you have never used a PSV in your life (I know a good number of you have not), then you are either way above the class of MOHAS, or you were born yesterday and you have not left the hospital. If you fit in the latter, you may want to stay longer in there since you might be shoved into a matatu even before you get past the hospital door; the conductors will be waiting. Alternatively, if you have never used a PSV then you live in a place where dhows or camels are the next basic means of transport; that’s besides walking and bicycles. But not to worry, there’s really not much boast about as regards PSVs. They just happen to be next convenient means of transport available.
Most of us can remember how the matatu workers strike late last year paralyzed operations in many parts of the city. I remember the strike majorly started around midday which meant that most people were already in town but did not have means to get home after work. The news spread fast and I remember being served really fast at a salon because the manager wanted the clients and staff to get time to sort transport issues and if possible, walk home. I didn’t get what the fuss was about until I saw people on social media ascertain that the strike was real and when I could not find any PSVs at my bus stop. I got means home but I was advised not to go to town until the strike was called off so I missed a day of school.
One thing that I took from the strike was the fact that many Kenyans actually own cars, they just use PSVs because they are cheaper sometimes. Or for fun, or convenience- I’m not sure. Since the PSVs were not available, the parked cars got a chance to visit the city to pick their masters from work. The number of private cars on the roads during the matatu workers strike late last year was astounding. Now Thika SuperHighway is arguably one of the best roads to use around Nairobi and there was extremely heavy traffic on the days of the strike yet there were no PSVs in sight. Cars lined up for over a kilometer to exit at the various junctions and I have not encountered worse traffic on the road since.
Well, hate them or love them, I believe public service vehicles are here to stay. That’s unless the railway system is improved to enviable levels- which is extremely possible. Meanwhile, we will have to make do with the price hikes at peak hours, when it rains or when there are strikes. There’s the queuing and the shoving too, and the pickpockets and hijackings. The sometimes annoying or rude conductors or drivers cannot go without a mention but we ought to spare them; we all have bad days once in a while. In any case, the same conductors make our days with their funny remarks sometimes.
I am always on the lookout for small joys every time I use PSVs. Sometimes it is the catchy sayings or phrases on the stickers in matatus that tickle my fancy while other times it is the conversations. Some love PSVs for the music, although I think it usually is annoying and/or too loud. Sometimes your favorite song only plays you are about to alight. A lot happens during matatu rides and we only need to be a little keen to notice them. Besides, there are quite a number of disciplined fleets and we ought to celebrate them too. And we ought to applaud public service vehicles for friendships and even marriages that are borne because the parties involved shares a means of transport.