Kenya’s Urban Transport Authority Launches Integrated Fare Card for BRT and Commuter Rail

Kenya’s Urban Transport Authority (UTA) has launched the Mtaa Card, a unified contactless fare card for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), commuter rail, and ferries in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu. Launched in May 2024, the card offers discounted transfers, daily caps, and balance alerts via SMS. Over 200,000 cards were issued in the first month. The system uses open-loop technology, allowing top-ups via M-Pesa and bank apps. The UTA aims to integrate all public transport by 2026, reducing cash handling and improving commuter experience. The World Bank funded the Ksh2 billion rollout as part of the Urban Mobility Program.