Rank: Elder Joined: 9/23/2009 Posts: 8,083 Location: Enk are Nyirobi
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VituVingiSana wrote:sparkly wrote:VituVingiSana wrote:sparkly wrote:aemathenge wrote:NTSA Seeks Ban On Use Of Cash For Matatu FaresWEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2020 9:00 Use of cash in public transport services is likely to be banned once the government approves a digital fare collection system that will also have the technical capability to contact trace passengers in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has advertised for bids inviting tech companies to install mobile software and web applications for the nearly 2 00,000 matatus in the country. Once the system is in place, all passengers could be required to pay their fares via mobile money platforms, giving the government access to their identities and personal contact information that is needed to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, which has disrupted lives worldwide. NTSA Director-General George Njao said through a tender notice the authority plans to introduce the mandatory use of cashless payments for all Public Service Vehicles (PSVs)”. “The cashless system will also provide a platform for development of an effective contact tracing application to support the government effort in addressing the coronavirus pandemic.” Contact tracing, a disease control method that traditionally relies on patients’ memories of their movements, identifies people they might have infected so they too can be isolated either for monitoring or treatment. Firms are expected to submit their bids before June 16, an indication of the State agency’s plan to roll out the cashless payment platform. That means companies have two weeks to submit their bids.Source: The Business Daily Newspaper: https://www.businessdail...9816-ftl5d0z/index.html
NTSA shouldn't invest in a cashless system. They should simply pass a law banning cash fares and require matatu saccos to procure and install cashless fare systems. Impose fines for operators and passengers found flouting. What if there are 10 different systems that don't talk to each other? Would I need EquiCard on some routes and SafCard on others? One provider for all matatus is monopolistic and anti-competitive. Payment should be left to market forces. I like competition too. What I am asking is will one need EquiCard for some routes, SafCard for others, etc? Providers should roll out their systems, the users will decide which system is best. Life is short. Live passionately.
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