The government said it is aware of an exploitation of the public by the transport sector and that several amendments shall be made to ensure effective regulation of fare tariffs by the authorities. The Transport ministry has taken action in a bid to protect the public against exploitation by Public Service Vehicles (PSVs).
The ministry has drafted amendments to the Traffic Act and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Act seeking to control fares charged by PSVs across the country. Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, in a presentation to the National Assembly’s Transport and Housing committee, on Tuesday said the action is aimed at cushioning the public against being overcharged.
The ministry seeks to amend Section 119 (1) of the Traffic Act by introducing a new sub-section that will allow the Cabinet Secretary to prescribe the regulation of PSV fare tariffs. Mr Macharia, who was represented by Chief Administrative Secretary Chris Obure, said the proposals are at an advanced stage with the legal department in the ministry and will soon be presented to the Cabinet for adoption before being presented to Parliament.
Once the amendment has been effected, the Cabinet Secretary will have a legal mandate to determine the formulae for establishing the tariff, review mechanism of the tariff and penalty for non-compliance. The ministry further wants amendment of section 4(2) of the NTSA by introducing a new sub-section that will allow for
The committee’s chairman, Mr David Pkosing (Pokot South MP), termed the proposals as long overdue, saying the problem of overcharging the public by PSVs is widespread. The question of overcharging by PSVs was brought to the House by Bomachoge Borabu MP Zadoc Ogutu, who pointed out that in some routes such as Kisii-Mogonga-Magena route, fares were increased by 100 percent following the re-introduction of “Michuki Rules” last year.