Maintaining Safe And Sustainable Transport Operations During The Corona Virus Pandemic (COVID 19)

THEME:

Making our mobility system resilient during and post-COVID-19

SUB-THEME:

Public transport and urban mobility operations: Maintaining safe and sustainable transport operations during the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19)

INTRODUCTION

This event on “Maintaining Safe and Sustainable Transport Operations during the Corona Virus Pandemic (COVID-19)” is convened by Urban Development, Housing, Planning, Energy, Infrastructure and Lands Committee of the Council of Governors.

PURPOSE AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE TRANSPORT COP

The purpose of the Webinar is to collate experiences, ideas and approaches to be adopted by public transport operators to address COVID-specific challenges in public transport and urban mobility operations. Public transport sector plays a key role in transmission of COVID-19, and travel restriction has been one of the key strategies for containing the spread of the virus in Kenya. As at 16th July 2020, Kenya had recorded a total of 11,673 cases (male=7,883, Female=3,790) and 217 deaths, recorded in 42 out of 47 Counties (Kenya COVID-19 SITREP-121 of 16 July 2020, MOH). This number is bound to spike if COVID-19 protocols for transport sector are not effectively implemented.

THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES ARE TO:

1. Acknowledge stakeholder concerns, dilemmas and questions emerging from the reality of COVID-19 pandemic with regard to the transport operations across all Counties.

2. Support policy dialogue to facilitate transport operators to observe the safe social distances between passengers

3. Reflect on the impacts of the prevailing COVID-19 global pandemic and the Counter measures to be considered in ensuring safe public transport within and between all Counties in Kenya.

4. Share best practices on the remedial actions already taken;

5. Take stock of lessons learned and future preparedness needed;

6. Make recommendations that could be incorporated in National and County transport action plans.

EXPECTED OUTCOME

1. Overview of stakeholder concerns, dilemmas and questions emerging from the reality of COVID-19 pandemic with regard to the transport operations across all Counties.

2. Diversity of approaches for maintaining continuous operations and service in public transport in view of the already existing Covid19 measures.

3. Road transport approaches for maintaining cash flow and safeguarding financial sustainability in view of the challenges posed by Covid19 pandemic safe and sustainable transport operations

4. Lessons, experiences and strategies for improving safe public transport operations during COVID-19 pandemic.

5. Policy and Legislative recommendations for maintaining and securing public transport operations, safeguarding public transport operators’ financial sustainability and mitigating risks in future emergencies.