The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced a temporary moratorium on the licensing of new Public Service Vehicle (PSV) transport operators in a bid to address persistent regulatory and safety challenges within the sector.
In a notice on June 19, the Authority said the decision is grounded in its mandate under the NTSA Act, 2012, and the NTSA (Operation of Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 2014.
“The Authority, in exercising its mandate under the NTSA Act, 2012 and the NTSA (Operation of Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 2014, hereby issues a temporary moratorium ON the licensing of new public transport operators (Saccos and Companies) for a period of 24 months,” stated the authority.
The regulator also banned any modification or reconfiguration of current routes for a year, which includes alterations to pick-up and drop-off points, which have increasingly been blamed for confusion and inefficiencies in public transport services.
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NTSA Links Sector Moratorium to Safety Risks and Illegal Operators
NTSA said the decision was caused by several problems in the sector, including operators failing to follow safety rules and the increase in illegal operators.
The Authority warned that this has made roads less safe, created unfair competition, and made it harder to enforce regulations.
It also said frequent changes to routes have led to unreliable public transport services and made it difficult to manage traffic and maintain safety.
During the suspension period, the regulator will conduct a comprehensive review of road safety compliance and traffic management, working with other stakeholders, including county governments.
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The review will assess how the sector operates and identify areas for improvement.
The regulator said it will also work with county authorities to streamline routes, with a view to making them more efficient, consistent, and viable for operators.
Existing PSV operators will continue to operate but must adhere strictly to licensing, safety, and operational standards. The authority warned that enforcement measures will remain in place to ensure compliance throughout the moratorium period.
“No new applications for PSV operator licenses will be accepted or processed during this period,” the Authority stated, adding that applications already submitted by prospective operators will not be processed.
However, NTSA encouraged investors and stakeholders to use the period to submit proposals and recommendations to improve road safety and strengthen the management of public transport services.
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