NTSA suspends Super Metro after passenger’s death, accuses it of various violations

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has cancelled Super Metro”s operator following the death of a passenger last week for violating various public service vehicle regulations.

The transport sector regulator said the company has been suspended from operating until it complies with the 2014 Public Service Regulations among other set conditions.

NTSA added that Super Metro must ensure it puts in place safety measures to protect the lives of its passengers and other road users.

“This is to notify the public that the authority has suspended Super Metro Limited’s operator license until the Company fully complies with the Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 2014,” NTSA said in a statement.

NTSA revealed that out of its fleet of 523 vehicles, a total of 15 vehicles had expired inspection certificates, and eight vehicles had expired Road Service Licenses (RSL).

It further indicated that five vehicles had expired speed limiter certificates, 88 vehicles were not transmitting speed data, 171 vehicles had no speed limiter records, seven vehicles had no speed limiter vendor details while 109 vehicles were operating beyond the speed limit of 80Kph.

“The company violated the Operation of Public Service Vehicles regulation which requires that a person desirous of operating public service vehicles shall be a member of a body corporate shall comply with labor laws and regulations including 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,” NTSA stated.

Super Metro was further accused of employing drivers who do not meet the set standards presenting a major road safety risk to road users.

NTSA has ordered that the company to present the 294 vehicles with various violations to the respective speed limiter vendors for compliance checks and obtain compliance reports.

It also directed that the unqualified drivers be disengaged and 42 out of the 109 drivers with speed violations presented for a retest at the Likoni Driver Test Centre.

“The Company must immediately disengage unqualified drivers for the safety of all road users as they present forty-two drivers with speed violations, for a retest. 64 drivers failed a retest earlier this month and this led to the suspension of their respective driving licenses,” the authority directed.

NTSA said it will also conduct a compliance audit for the busses under Super Metro.

It further asked Super Metro to present the contracts of their staff and proof of compliance with their six months pay roll showing the various statutory deductions.

“The Company must conduct Road Safety Sensitisation for ALL its drivers and submit to the Authority the sensitization report, photos, minutes of the session, and the attendance register. The exercise shall be facilitated by NTSA officers,” NTSA directed.

The regulator further warned the public from boarding the Super Metro buses, adding that the traffic department would be impounding vehicles belonging to the company found operating in defiance of the suspension.

The decision by NTSA comes a few days after Super Metro suspended the crew that was in charge of the bus where a passenger died on the spot after he was thrown out of a moving Matatu due to differences over the lack of the full amount of fare.

It said strict measures shall be put in place to ensure such incidents are not repeated.

“Moving forward, we are reinforcing strict safety protocols & training to prevent such tragedies. We appreciate the public’s patience & trust as we work to uphold the highest standards in passenger safety,” Super Metro stated.

The incident, sparked public outrage, prompting the company to address the matter as investigations continue.

According to witnesses, the young man who lost his life was thrown out by the conductor of the bus as he had Ksh 50 instead of Ksh 80.