Kenyan Commuters Plunge into the Digital World
By Justine Wangui (Science Africa correspondent)
Email: wanguijustine@gmail.com
12 Feb 2015- Commuters in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city have plunged into the digital world with card as the mode of payment for their fare. The recent introduction of public service vehicle card known as Cash Lite, means that it is already the mode of fare payment.
Email: wanguijustine@gmail.com
12 Feb 2015- Commuters in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city have plunged into the digital world with card as the mode of payment for their fare. The recent introduction of public service vehicle card known as Cash Lite, means that it is already the mode of fare payment.
Commuters told ScienceAfrica that use of
cash lite cards use caught them unaware although they were aware there
were debates about it in the mass media. “I didn’t expect it so soon,”
said Paul Wamburu, one of the commuters.
Agents from various financial institutions including Equity Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, Family Bank and Cooperative Bank were were busy guiding commuters on how to acquire, activate and load money into the cards.
The cash lite card initiative from National Transport and Safety Authority aroused mixed reactions from both passengers and PSV operators. “A number of commuters especially the elderly and the illiterate were still resistant and many found it unnecessary for them to have the card as they branded it a time waster,” said Daisy Biwott, a KCB agent.
On the other hand, some are impressed by the initiative as carrying cash is risky at times. “I think operating with a cash lite card is safer compared to carrying cash,” said Wanjiru Mwenda, a commuter. It is a major indicator that Kenya is moving fast into the digital world.
A Citi Hoppa Transport Company driver said that the Cash Lite cards were advantageous to both commuters and conductors as the problem of giving change will be eased. “These cards will solve the problem of change. Many of our conductors face this problem and end up delaying commuters as they take time to give out change.”
However, loading money in the cards still has challenges including delays associated with initiation of the cashless fare payments.
Agents from various financial institutions including Equity Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, Family Bank and Cooperative Bank were were busy guiding commuters on how to acquire, activate and load money into the cards.
The cash lite card initiative from National Transport and Safety Authority aroused mixed reactions from both passengers and PSV operators. “A number of commuters especially the elderly and the illiterate were still resistant and many found it unnecessary for them to have the card as they branded it a time waster,” said Daisy Biwott, a KCB agent.
On the other hand, some are impressed by the initiative as carrying cash is risky at times. “I think operating with a cash lite card is safer compared to carrying cash,” said Wanjiru Mwenda, a commuter. It is a major indicator that Kenya is moving fast into the digital world.
A Citi Hoppa Transport Company driver said that the Cash Lite cards were advantageous to both commuters and conductors as the problem of giving change will be eased. “These cards will solve the problem of change. Many of our conductors face this problem and end up delaying commuters as they take time to give out change.”
However, loading money in the cards still has challenges including delays associated with initiation of the cashless fare payments.
No comments:
Post a Comment