LATRA tightens noose on 38 upcountry buses

THE Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) has suspended 38 upcountry buses that were initially permitted to travel from 3am and 5am following irregularities.

The LATRA had introduced a new arrangement for upcountry buses to seek permission to travel from 3am as a pilot phase before allowing a 24-hour service in response to stakeholders’ request.

In a press conference in Dar es Salaam on Monday, the authority announced to have suspended a total of 38 buses belonging to the New Force Enterprises.

LATRA’s Director General, CPA Habibu Suluo, said the decision came after establishing that those buses were found with various irregularities, leading to regular accidents.

Highlighting some of the regularities, Mr Suluo said the company was engaging drivers who were not certified by the LATRA and rejecting using the i-button system.

The i-button system is used to track a driver on wheel at a particular time.

“Within about four weeks; between June 6, 2023, and July 2, 2023, the New Force buses have been involved in five accidents that caused various harms, including deaths, disabilities and property damage,” LATRA boss pointed out.

Adding: “On June 6, 2023, a bus belonging to the New Force Enterprise with registration number T171DZU was involved in an accident in Songwe Region, causing 2 injuries …On June 21, 2023, a bus from the same company with registration number T173DZU also got into an accident and caused the deaths of 7 people and resulted in 48 injuries…on June 23, 2023, a bus of the ssimilar owner with registration number T742DFZ got into an accident and caused injuries.”

Mr Suluo mentioned two other buses belonging to the New Force Enterprise, which got accidents and caused injuries on June 25, 2023, and July 2, 2023 as registered as T235DJQ and T448DDT respectively.

According to LATRA Director General, the preliminary investigation carried out by the authority revealed that there was deliberate move of violating the transport regulations.

“Following the violation of the regulations and the series of accidents, the LATRA has changed the schedule for those buses where they will from July 5 (tomorrow) start leaving terminals from 6am onwards,” he underlined.

He said the suspension was made in accordance with sections 5(1) (b) and 6 (b) of the LATRA Act, 2019, Cap  413, which gives the Authority the mandate to issue, renew and cancel permits or licences as well as to monitor the performance of the regulated sectors including availability of safe, quality and standards of services.

He also directed the company to submit a list of all its drivers and their license numbers while stressing that the authority continues to investigate the management of the New Force Enterprise to find out how they recruit drivers and manage them.

“In general, the authority makes efforts to help these investors develop their capital and continue to provide the services effectively. We will continue to monitor this company and others,” he said.

Equally, he noted that other buses that faced similar suspension belong to  Ally’s Star and Katarama Express companies.

“We will continue to monitor their attitude on the road and if they positively change we will return them to the previous schedules (3 am and 5 am),” he said.