Easy Coach Kenya is a transportation company founded in 2003 and headquartered in Nairobi.
The company operates a fleet of modern buses that are equipped with among others comfortable seats, air conditioning and entertainment systems.
The company provides regular services to destinations such as Nairobi, Kisumu, Kisii, Eldoret, Kakamega, Bungoma and Busia.
Unknown to many, Easy Coach was established by Azym Dossa who ventured into business after 17 years in employment.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Background
Azym Dossa, the co-founder and managing director of Easy Coach, established the company shortly after quitting employment.
In an interview with The Standard, he noted that his first job in the transport industry was revising fares and handling customer complaints.
By the time he left employment, he worked as a chief financial officer for another company. He left the company after his mentor passed on.
After quitting his job, Dossa who says he is passionate about long-distance partnered with a few friends and established Easy Coach.
“My contract with my employer was for two years, but before I knew it, 17 years had passed. I had forgotten to move on. I continued because it was interesting and I was passionate.
“I then joined hands with a few friends and we started this company. They supported me financially and we still work together as partners even though they are now busy running their businesses,” he said.
Dossa explained that they started with seven buses plying the Nairobi – Kisumu route shortly before they bought four additional buses.
The buses cost about Ksh 4 million each.
The business picked and it started paying off, and they would buy up to 12 buses a year for three years, and later 24 buses a year.
“Choosing the seat configuration was very important, we went for the 34 seaters to give more comfort and legroom
“We still operate that way except for our latest fleet which has longer buses and we can comfortably put in another two rows of seats,” he explained.
Dossa noted that while venturing into the business, they had to be unique from other transport companies.
He stated that they were the first company to have washrooms and waiting lounges in their booking office.
“We also ensured there was no stopping on the road to pick up passengers and jeopardise those on the bus, this was also for security,” Dossa said.
Dossa is a father of two boys who work in the medical field outside the country.
“When I tell them to come and help me out, they say they can’t. We have 800 employees across the country
“I have thought of succession and what happens next, it is good to have proper CEOs and general managers who are doing it the way you would do it in your presence,” he noted.
At the moment, Dossa said that he is focused on keeping the company financially healthy although he mentioned plans of selling the company in future.
“Somewhere along the line, I will have to sell it. We have had some offers in the last two or three years but were not the right valuation. But, somebody will come back,” he said.
Challeges
Dossa highlighted the high cost of fuel as one of the major challenges that affect his business.
“Fuel is one of them, but even the counties now want to charge permits, even if you don’t have an office there,” he stated.
Easy Coach online booking
Unlike other established bus companies, Easy Coach doesn’t have a dedicated portal where you can book online.
Travelers can however book via BuuPus portal.
Simply follow the instruction provided on the website and book your ticket. You can also book by simply dialing *877#.
