The government would soon introduce the use of smart cards in all public service vehicles to streamline the transport sector.

Nairobi Metropolitan Development Minister Njeru Githae said the introduction of a cashless system in the sector would curb corruption witnessed in the sector and offer efficient services.

He said the current system has made it impossible for the government to streamline the sector since cases of bribery between matatu touts, police and local authority askaris continue to be on the rise.

Githae said the government is shopping for potential investors to undertake the project.

Speaking at Baricho in his Ndia constituency, the minister singled out transport as a big challenge in realizing the metropolitan dream.

" The technical committee comprising officials from the metropolitan development ministry, ministry of transport, the city council of Nairobi and the Nairobi Central Business District Association is working on modalities of streamlining the sector in the city" said Githae.

The committee, he said would study past reports on the issue and come up with a workable way of decongesting the city's central business district.

This, he said would have a ripple effect on other parts of the country which have been adversely affected by the heavy traffic experienced in the city.

Githae took issue with the City Council of Nairobi for hurriedly stopping public service vehicles from entering the CBD saying the move was not practical.

He said the council contravened the recommendations of a technical committee looking into the matter adding that private vehicles should be barred from entering the CBD.

"People should be asked to leave their vehicles at home and use public service vehicles to reduce traffic in the CBD," he said.

The government, he said would push to have buses with a capacity of 60 passengers or more to operate in the CBD to solve the problem.

He added that Harambee Avenue , Tom Mboya Street , Kirinyaga road and River road would be one way to pave way for the buses to pick and drop passengers in the CBD.

He refuted claims that there was conflict between his ministry and the council adding that a metropolitan bill which would give  his ministry powers to restore the city's lost glory would be tabled in parliament soon.

Once passed, he said the ministry would oversee security, water, transport and also manage solid waste.

Meanwhile, matatu crew on route 15 and 33 have Monday blocked Mombasa road near Nyayo stadium allegedly to protest new terminus rules.