Super Metro pleads to NTSA to rescind suspension order

 Super Metro has urged the National Transport and Security Authority (NTSA) to review its suspension, saying they are committed to maintaining high standards of safety and reliability.

The matatu Sacco said they are committed to resolving concerns raised by the regulator as they called on them to review their updated status of compliance.

“Super Metro remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability. We are prepared to collaborate further with NTSA to resolve any concerns raised. We urge NTSA to review the updated status of our compliance efforts and reconsider this suspension,” Super Metro Chief Executive Officer Nelson Nduki said in a statement.

The company acknowledged the analysis raised by NTSA saying they have been working diligently with NTSA throughout their investigation, providing all requested documentation and taking immediate action to address any identified issues.

According to their CEO, it is unfair for them to be suspended despite their proactive compliance.

He says it is a threat to families of people employed by the Sacco.

Nduki warned that the suspension would destabilize the economy and disrupt the essential service for passengers.

“We have been working diligently with NTSA throughout their investigation, providing all requested documentation and taking immediate action to address any identified issues. The decision to impose a summary suspension is not only unfair but also prejudicial to the thousands of employees and their families who depend on Super Metro for their livelihoods. The blanket ban threatens the economic stability of our workforce and disrupts essential services for our passengers,” he stated.

The outcry by the company comes after NTSA canceled their operation license days after the death of a passenger thrown out of their bus.

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

They added that Super Metro needs to ensure it has put 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.

A report by NTSA revealed that out of five hundred and twenty-three (523) vehicles, a total of fifteen (15) vehicles had expired inspection certificates, and eight (8) vehicles had expired Road Service Licenses (RSL).

The revelations further indicated that five vehicles had expired speed limiter certificates, eighty-eight (88) vehicles were not transmitting speed data, one hundred and seventy-one vehicles had no speed limiter records, and seven vehicles had no speed limiter vendor details while one hundred and nine vehicles were operating beyond the speed limit of 80Kph.

The Sacco was further accused of employing drivers who do not meet the set standards presenting a major road safety.

NTSA has ordered that the company present the two hundred and ninety-four 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 as they present the 42 out of the one hundred and nine drivers with speed violations, for a retest at the Likoni Driver Test Centre.

While indicating to conduct a compliance audit for the busses under Super Metro, NTSA directed the company to present the contracts of their staff and proof of compliance with their six months’ pay roll showing the various statutory deductions.

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 contrary to 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 added that strict measures shall be put in place to ensure such incidences do not repeat.