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 Competition on the Nairobi-Mombasa route has intensified as airlines and bus companies roll out new services to lure passengers.Airlines have increased their flights and lowered their fares while bus firms have invested in high-end vehicles to offer extra comfort, entertainment and customer service in a bid to outdo the domestic aviation sector. The only gap between the two modes is the time it takes to travel; buses take eight hours on road and planes take 45 minutes. “The only difference is the time frame in which it takes to get to the destination but the comfort and service is almost the same,” Mr Said Bakari, a senior supervisor at Coast Bus said. Luxury coaches have been introduced to capture middle-income earners who can afford to fly, but occasionally turn to buses. Captain Dino Bileti, a manager at Air Kenya, says that the introduction of these busses will marginally affect business with only a few of their clients being the ones most likely to be lured by the bus companies. Optimistic Airlines are optimistic that the element of time plays in their favour as most of their clients would rather get to their destination in good time and maximize on their stay. “Time is more critical to our clients who often fly to and from Mombasa more often,” said the commercial manager of Jetlink, Mr Ephraim Kamunyo. Airlines on the route mainly cater for holiday makers and businessmen on the go. However, this doesn’t rule out some airline customers opting for a bus ride once in a while, especially since part of the holiday experience since the Nairobi - Mombasa highway has been re-carpeted. Earlier this week, Kenya Airways increased its trips to Mombasa to 58 in a move meant to counter Air Kenya’s 35 flights per week. The airlines are maximising on the high tourism season that runs from July to late September. Some of the operators also serve various destinations at the Coast including Malindi, Lamu and Diani Beach. Currently, there are over 10 executive buses on the route, from various firms offering interiors that rival that of planes. They include lavatory facilities, entertainment, reclining seats and refreshments. The number of seats has been reduced to about 50 passengers. “Long distance journeys are hectic. Spending long hours on the road in an overcrowded bus can be a nightmare and people are looking for comfort ... they are willing to pay a premium,” Abul Karim Ali of coast bus, said. Modern Coast, another operator on the route, earlier this year introduced two executive buses known as Oxygen Buses operating four times daily, a move that has increased the company’s customer base according the manager, Mr Isaac Nato. Despite the comfort on the buses the price is still significantly lower than flying. It costs between Sh1,300 - 1600 for a one-way road trip while a similar ride on a plane costs Sh5,000. Ordinary buses maintain lower rates, which vary between Sh800 and Sh1,000.
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