Taylor and Francis

Taylor and Francis

English

’For too long, the world of transport planning, policy and analysis has been dominated by what happens in the USA or UK and the geographical lop-sidedness is compounded by an emphasis on methodology, car traffic, infrastructure and the possibilities around modal shift. This is very worthy but the world is richer and more diverse than this menu suggests. This book about matatu minibuses in Kenya is therefore a breath of fresh air which takes us all into a new dimension of thinking. What is the matatu? How does it work? Why does it straddle legality and illegality? How does it relate to the world of regulated, orderly public transport? This book explores all these questions and much more and is a most welcome piece of work. We need more of this freshness and vigour in transport writing and a deeper understanding of the social and economic circumstances that bring transport services to people who need them in parts of the world that are not yet colonized by global bus or train companies. The authors are to be congratulated and I hope others will follow suit.’ John Whitelegg, Stockholm Environment Institute, York University, UK ’Drawing on qualitative and political economy frameworks, the authors take a holistic approach to studying matatu entrepreneurship as a self-organizing industry with a distinctive culture and strategy. A timely study which those interested in business in the new Africa will find useful.’ Kenda Mutongi, Williams College, USA