Super Metro terms NTSA claims that led to licence suspension outdated and misleading

Super Metro Limited has dismissed allegations by NTSA that led to the suspension of its operator licence, terming them outdated and misleading. (Photo: File)

By Lucy Mumbi
Thursday, March 20, 2025

NTSA has now been urged to reassess its compliance status and lift the suspension to avoid further economic disruptions.

Bus company Super Metro Limited has dismissed allegations by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) that led to the suspension of its operator licence, insisting that the claims are outdated and misleading.

In a statement on Thursday, the company said it had fully complied with NTSA regulations and had already addressed the concerns raised in the authority’s investigation before the suspension was enforced.

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NTSA had claimed that five of Super Metro’s 294 vehicles had expired inspection certificates, 15 had expired road service licences (RSL) and some had faulty speed limiters.

However, the company countered that all required inspection certificates and RSLs had been renewed before the suspension took effect.

“Additionally, upon identifying issues with speed limiters, we promptly reached out to our vendors, who rectified the problem across all affected vehicles,” Super Metro said.

“These corrective actions were completed well before the suspension, ensuring full compliance with NTSA standards.”

NTSA had also alleged that 64 Super Metro drivers had failed a retest on March 10, leading to the suspension of their licenses. However, the company maintained that all affected drivers had undergone retraining and retesting three weeks prior, as required by the Traffic (Driving Schools, Driving Instructors, and Driving Licenses) Rules, 2020.

“The claim that our drivers do not meet required qualifications is outdated and does not reflect our current operational status,” it said.

The transport authority had further cited violations of public service vehicle regulations, including issues related to labour laws and statutory deductions. Super Metro dismissed these claims, affirming that all drivers and staff have signed contracts and that all deductions, including PAYE, NSSF and SHA remittances, are up to date and available for NTSA’s review.

Super Metro expressed disappointment over NTSA’s decision to impose a “summary suspension” despite the company’s cooperation in the investigation and its proactive steps to comply with all regulatory requirements.

“The decision is not only unfair but also prejudicial to the thousands of employees and their families who depend on Super Metro for their livelihoods,” the company said.

“As a major employer in Kenya’s transport sector, this blanket ban threatens the economic stability of our workforce and disrupts essential services for our passengers.”

NTSA has now been urged to reassess its compliance status and lift the suspension to avoid further economic disruptions.

Super Metro Limited serves multiple routes across the city including Thika Road, Jogoo Road and Waiyaki Way.

While the public had been cautioned against boarding vehicles belonging to Super Metro Limited, reports indicated that the vehicles were still operating on roads.