NTSA suspends Super Metro's operating license, warns public against boarding its PSVs
The Traffic Department has also been directed to impound vehicles belonging to the company found operating contrary to the suspension.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has suspended Super Metro Limited's operator licence until the Company fully complies with the Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 2014 and other set conditions.
In a statement issued on Thursday morning, the Authority cautioned members of the public against boarding vehicles belonging to Super Metro Limited.
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The Traffic Department has also been directed to impound vehicles belonging to the company found operating contrary to the suspension.
The suspension comes barely a week after the transport company caught the eye of the public when one of their operators threw out a man from a moving vehicle for having Sh 30 less than the prescribed Sh 80 bus fare.
The passenger, identified as Gilbert Thuo Kimani, reportedly paid Sh50 instead of the Sh80 demanded by a tout leading to an altercation before he was thrown out of the moving matatu leading to fatal injuries.
"The Company must present 294 vehicles with violations for compliance inspection at Likoni Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre and obtain compliance reports for all the vehicles. The Company must also present 42 drivers, out of the 199 with speed violations, for a retest at the Likoni Driver Test Centre," stated NTSA.
According to the Authority, a comprehensive analysis of Super Metro Limited's operations revealed multiple violations related to compliance with road safety laws and public service vehicle regulations.
Out of the 523 vehicles operated by the company, 15 had expired inspection certificates, while eight were found to have expired Road Service Licences (RSL). Additionally, 294 vehicles had various violations related to speed limiters, including 109 vehicles operating beyond the 80 km/h speed limit.
The NTSA report further indicated that 171 vehicles had no speed limiter records, 88 were not transmitting speed data, and seven had no speed limiter vendor details.
The Authority also raised concerns about five vehicles operating with expired speed limiters with the violations extending to the company's employment and operational policies.
"The Company was also in violation of the provisions of the NTSA (Operation of Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 2014, Section 5, sub-section 1(e) which states: A person desirous of operating public service vehicles shall be a member of a body corporate which shall comply with labour laws and regulations including in respect to statutory deductions, health and safety of the workplace, Work Injuries Benefits Act (Cap. 236) insurance, statutory leave days and written contracts of employment for staff," observed NTSA.
To regain compliance and have the suspension lifted, Super Metro Limited must adhere to several conditions set forth by the NTSA.
These include presenting the non-compliant vehicles for safety checks, subjecting 42 drivers to retesting, disengaging unqualified drivers, and submitting proof of compliance with employment regulations, such as signed contracts and statutory remittance records.
Additionally, all drivers must undergo a road safety sensitization programme facilitated by NTSA officers, with the company required to provide detailed documentation of the training sessions.
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