LATRA lifts ban on 12 upcountry buses
THE Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) has lifted a ban it imposed on 12 upcountry buses.
The authority had banned nine buses from travelling from 3am and other three buses from starting their journeys from 4am, instead all of them were ordered to beginning their journeys from 6am after they violated regulations.
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, acting head of communications department, Mr Salum Pazzy, said the decision was made in accordance with Section 5(1)(b) of Land Transport Control, Chapter 413, and Rules 27(1)(c) and (d) of the transport licence regulations (public service vehicles) of 2020.
He said the schedule was earlier cancelled after the authority established that those buses were found with various irregularities, including tampering with the Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), leading to accidents.
“The authority has been educating the drivers and owners of these bus companies, including about the use of VTS,” he said.
“The bus owners have committed to stepping up bus monitoring and it was decided that Katarama Luxury Company will begin the trip at 4am and Ally’s Star Bus Company will begin the trip at 3am in order to avoid unfair competition,” he said.
In another development, LATRA warned the New Force Enterprises following numerous accidents involving its upcountry buses.
On his part, LATRA Manager for Safety Coordination and Environment, Mr Godfrey Silanda, said, it would be remembered that on July 3, this year, LATRA suspended 38 upcountry buses belonging to the New Force Enterprises that were initially permitted to travel from 3 am and 5am following irregularities.
The punishment followed a series of accidents over a period of four consecutive weeks.
He noted that the occurrence of road accidents due to negligence among drivers is unacceptable.
In a similar vein, LATRA warned Kilimanjaro Truck Company Limited, Abood Bus Service, Baraka Classic, Kapricon, Frester and Nyehunge Express for violation of the law, rules and transport procedures.
