Safaricom and matatus partner to collect fare through M-Pesa

Safaricom has rolled out a partnership with public transport sector players to accept cashless payments through M-Pesa in the ongoing battle to combat the spread of coronavirus. The partnership will see crew from partnering public transport companies accepting fare through their phone numbers.

“Our partnership with the different public transport players brings the convenience and safety of M-Pesa to this crucial sector,” said Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, chief financial services officer, Safaricom.

The service has already been deployed to more than three hundred City Star Shuttle vehicles in Nairobi and will be rolled out to additional players in the coming days, helping them to comply with the Government’s recommendations of   combating the spread of coronavirus.

Passengers paying their fare through the service will follow the standard procedure of sending money to another person, keying the number provided by the crew.

Among other  measures to help minimize the impact of coronavirus  to its customers and to help them avoid the use of cash, Safaricom has announced that  all its M-Pesa  customers can send money for free for transactions of Kshs. 1,000 and below within  a 90 day period.