Passengers travelling with ENA Coach will now have to pay extra for luggage weighing more than 15 kilograms after the bus company announced new baggage rules aimed at improving safety and streamlining its operations.
In a notice issued on Thursday, August 6, the long-distance transport company said the revised policy will see passengers charged for any baggage exceeding the 15kg limit, marking a significant change for many Kenyans who often travel with heavy luggage, especially on trips upcountry.
For years, travellers heading home from cities such as Nairobi have relied on long-distance buses to transport bags packed with foodstuffs, household items and gifts for relatives. Under the new rules, however, carrying oversized luggage on passenger buses will come at an additional cost.
“Kindly take note of the following: baggage weighing over 15kg will incur the relevant excess baggage fees,” ENA Coach said in the statement.
The company went on to indicate that large pieces of baggage and commercial consignments will not be carried in the same way as regular passenger luggage in future. Instead, customers will be expected to send their large items via the company’s courier firm called Explorer Parcel Handlers (EPH).
From the parcel delivery charges of the company, customers will be charged Sh250 for parcels ranging from one kilogram to seven kilograms, Sh300 for parcels ranging from eight kilograms to 10 kilograms and Sh350 for luggage from 11 kilograms to 15 kilograms. Parcel delivery rates for parcels weighing over 15 kilograms will depend on their sizes.
Apart from the luggage policy, ENA Coach has also informed passengers of the NTSA requirement that each child over five years of age must have his/her own seat while traveling.
“In accordance with NTSA regulations, every child aged five (5) years and above must have their own booked seat,” the company stated.
The requirement is anchored in Section 85 of the Traffic Act, which recognises children aged five and above as full passengers for purposes of vehicle seating capacity. This means they cannot travel on a parent’s lap, a practice that has long been common among families looking to reduce travel costs.
The regulations also align with seatbelt laws requiring every passenger in a moving vehicle to be properly restrained, as well as the Children Act, 2022, which places responsibility on parents and guardians to ensure children travel safely.
ENA Coach has also urged passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened throughout their journey, saying the new measures are intended to enhance safety and ensure compliance with transport regulations across its network.