SWVL Kenya has announced that it has now met all requirements and is now 100% compliant with Kenya’s National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) regulations.
SWVL had paused all its rides due to the pandemic, however, the firm has announced it’s ready to resume operations once the lockdown in Kenya comes to an end.
Post lockdown, SWVL has announced it will begin onboarding existing bus owners and public transport saccos, in their bid to benefit the entire ecosystem with a more inclusive approach. Earlier the firm had promised it will ferry passengers offering essential services but it was no so.
In a statement, Dip Patel, the General Manager for SWVL in Kenya, said, “We are pleased that we have resolved all issues with the NTSA and that’s extremely important for us. Once we exit the lockdown, we will be able to steadily bring back our operations and we can now show our corporate customers that we have met all the regulatory requirements.”
In light of the confusion surrounding existing compliance requirements, the NTSA is willing to look into developing the regulatory framework in place to encompass user and industry-driven technological advancements. This will help to fill the gap that exists in regards to regulating technology platforms in the transport industry.
“We have continued to engage with the NTSA to arrive at a framework that will support technology enabled transport solutions and take Kenya to the next level. This is because, at the end of the day, our goals are the same. We both endeavour to develop an efficient transportation system for commuters that is safe, reliable, convenient and affordable. We are excited to be able to continue our operations and we are very pleased about the consideration of the regulatory framework to incorporate technological developments coming up in the industry”, said SWVL Kenya General Manager, Dip Patel.
The NTSA, on its part, has stated that subject to SWVL’s compliance with certain guidelines, “the Authority has no objection to SWVL providing digital vehicle hailing services.”
SWVL Kenya also announced that they will continue to grow their corporate partnerships, offering organisations rides for their employees. These corporate rides continue to run during the pandemic period and are set to grow further post lockdown. SWVL will be looking to engage more organisations seeking comfortable, reliable, safe, convenient and affordable transportation for their employees, especially under the new social distance guidelines in place. Individuals interested in learning more can get in touch with SWVL by visiting www.swvl.com/corporates
SWVL Kenya has also announced a restructuring of their teams and customer support systems. This will directly affect commuters, bus owners and captains by providing them with quicker responses to their queries and complaints. The venture-backed company has also pledged to continue the implementation of government directives, regarding capacity and hygiene, as the country transitions into the ‘new normal’ way of life.
