SWVL launches long distance shuttle services in Kenya

Egypt-based ride hailing service Swvl has will now take its riders to destinations outside Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi.

Swvl’s commuter buses will take customers to four towns: Nakuru, Naivasha, Meru, and the latest addition, Eldoret.

The long distance shuttle services were quietly launched earlier, with Swvl only making an official announcement with the addition of Eldoret to included towns.

Swvl charges travellers US$ 12 to Eldoret and US$ 10 to Naivasha and Nakuru.

The ride-hailing firm has consistently expanded its routes within the Kenyan capital.

Swvl General Manager, Shivachi Muleji, said about the new routes, “Long distance travel is a viable business segment for us and you will see a lot more investment into it as we get into this year.”

Related article: Egypt-based SWVL soon to introduce dynamic pricing to its bus-hailing service in Kenya

He added, “When you think about the level of travel between Nairobi and Nakuru, for example, on a daily basis, you start to see why we would invest in it. Our core market will always remain the Nairobi commuter, but we will seek growth in new business areas.”

Swvl and other ride-hailing firms faced trouble with Kenyan transport regulator at some point.

They were required to comply with the National Transport and Safety Authority rules. The rules required them have a public service license, a yellow line along the sides of the buses, and displaying route name and number.