Faras Cab has partnered with Apex innovative e-mobility and ABSA Bank, to promote climate sensitive technology and innovation in Africa.
Speaking in Nairobi, Tuesday, National Transport Service Authority (NTSA), Licensing Officer, Franklin Muriithi, said that the Faras Company should have an anti-drunk driving policy, to ensure that drivers should not drink, while working as NTSA issues licensing to Faras and drivers for security purposes.
Muriithi urged the drivers to ensure their safety and that of their clients at all times, adding that riders should remind their clients of unsafe locations and routes, especially at night.
He emphasized that the maximum interest charges per trip should be 18 percent, adding that Faras should have a dispute resolution programme, which would incorporate clients’ point of view and solve the customers’ issues from the management.
Muriithi said that the process of induction of new drivers, should have a policy that educates them on road safety and vehicle maintenance, adding that the management should come up with an independent vehicle inspection, apart from the NTSA.
Faras General Manager (GM), Allan Maimbu, said that the drivers were the soul and heart of Faras business and their hard work and commitment to provide services to the customers, was commendable.
He said that the stakeholders’ engagement opportunity would equip drivers with knowledge, resources and support needed to drive the business, as he looked forward to a productive relationship.
The GM urges drivers to stand in solidarity, as they continued to ensure their welfare is taken care of, in order to get what they deserve.
Drivers have the opportunity to get the money immediately, as soon as the trip ends, he noted.
“The customer will pay the parking fees, as he pays for the trip. Local agents and security have come out to ensure that the security of the drivers and client is our priority,” he said.
Maimbu said Faras was open to feedback from both clients and drivers, that the Company is committed towards the drivers’ welfare and that the drivers would not be penalized when the customer cancels rides.
He said the Policy has been designed to ensure that the driver’s account, would not be blocked because of the customer’s cancellation and that the suspension period has been reduced from Six months to 14days.
The GM urged the drivers to take advantage of the opportunity to set, refresh and drive safely, as they take the amnesty period for the success journey.
“Apex e-mobility will participate in addressing the climate change issues and will make Kenya become a leading country in climate change in innovation and provide multiple services, including providing the two wheel, three wheel and four wheel vehicles, all of them electric mobility,” he said.
Apex Managing Director (MD), Abdigani Jama, said the Company would provide batteries and charging stations and would make them available in most places that are accessible for vehicles to charge, to ensure there would be no need for swapping in the future.
He said that Apex has agreed with Faras, to ensure that 25 percent of their vehicles used clean technology such as electricity, thus participating in the government’s agenda of making Kenya green.
By Sharon Atieno and Blessing Mutheu
