The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has suspended the Super Metro bus company’s operator license due to expired permits, issues with speed limiters, and unqualified drivers.
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The authority’s statement also highlighted additional violations by the company, including breaches of labor laws.
NTSA has warned the public against boarding Super Metro buses and announced that non-compliant vehicles will be impounded, starting from the Likoni Inspection Centre.
“The Authority has suspended Super Metro Limited’s operator license until the company fully adheres to the Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 2014, and other relevant conditions,” the statement read. “This action is necessary to ensure the company not only complies but also implements safety measures to protect passengers and other road users.”
This suspension follows an inspection of 523 Super Metro vehicles, which uncovered several violations. These included 15 vehicles operating with expired inspection certificates, 8 without valid Road Service Licenses, 5 with expired speed limiter certificates, 88 that failed to transmit speed data, and 171 without speed limiter records.
NTSA also found that some of Super Metro’s drivers lacked the necessary qualifications, which posed a safety risk on the roads. Additionally, the company was found to be in violation of labor laws, particularly regarding statutory deductions, insurance, and employment contracts, as required by Section 5(1)(e) of the NTSA (Operation of PSV) Regulations, 2014.
This suspension follows an incident in which a passenger died after allegedly being pushed out of a moving Super Metro bus by a conductor and another individual over a fare dispute on Thika Road. The driver involved has been arrested as investigations continue.
Super Metro has been instructed to submit 294 vehicles for compliance checks at speed limiter vendors, send 42 drivers for a retest at the Likoni Driver Test Centre, and provide signed contracts for staff as well as proof of PAYE, NSSF, and NHIF remittances.
The public is advised to avoid boarding Super Metro buses, and the Traffic Department has been ordered to impound any of the company’s vehicles operating unlawfully.
