Toyota Hiace Shuttle Business in Kenya: Routes, PSV & the Real Math
Nairobi–Nakuru, Upcountry, airport runs — what it earns.
A 14-seater Hiace on the Nairobi–Nakuru corridor grosses roughly KSh 12,000–18,000 daily in fares. After fuel (KSh 4,000–5,000), driver, SACCO fees and service, disciplined operators net KSh 150,000–250,000 monthly per van.
Compliance is non-negotiable: PSV licence via NTSA, TLB for long routes, SACCO membership, speed governor, inspection every 6 months, and genuine PSV insurance (KSh 150,000–250,000 yearly). Skip any of these and one crackdown wipes out months of profit.
Buy right: the 2.8 diesel Super GL (2017+, KSh 4.5–5.5M) is the industry standard — parts everywhere, resale instant. Avoid petrol vans for shuttle work; the fuel math never closes.
Start with one van, drive the route yourself for a month to learn the crew economics, then scale. Most failed shuttle businesses fail on driver honesty, not on the vehicle.
Key takeaways for Kenyan buyers
- Always verify the logbook on NTSA TIMS before paying.
- Insist on duty-paid proof for foreign-used units.
- Budget 10–15% above price for transfer, service and tyres.
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