Database on PSVs to bring order in transport sector

From left: Standard Group CEO Sam Shollei, NTSA Director General Francis Meja and his deputy Fernando Wangila during a visit to the group’s offices in Nairobi, Tuesday. Mr Meja called on the media to partner with Government agencies in improving the transport industry. [PHOTO: GEORGE MULALA/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: The Government will develop a comprehensive data bank of all public service vehicles (PSV) in the country.

National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Director General Francis Meja yesterday said the process to establish the data bank is at an advanced stage. He said the data bank would be ready by November 6 and the industry players would be given time to migrate.

Meja explained the new information platform would contain data on motor vehicle registration, driver and conductor licences, number plates and log books.

The new platform would be operated from a control room to be located at the NTSA head offices and would rely on information from other quarters, including traffic police offices.

“Our mission is to ensure all the information we need on public service vehicles is available. It will also will assist in enhancing road safety in the country. The public transport industry has scanty information on the number of vehicles, owners, drivers and conductors,” said Mr Meja.

SAFE ROADS

He made the remarks when he paid a courtesy call on Standard Group CEO Sam Shollei.

Mr Shollei said the work of ensuring roads are safe is not a one man’s job but requires input from all Kenyans. “We have a duty as media and other players to ensure Kenyans have been educated on the initiatives being undertaken by various institutions,” said Shollei.

He called on other institutions to partner with the NTSA to make the industry vibrant. Media, he said, would continue highlighting developments in the industry with a view to educating Kenyans on their role in enhancing safety and reducing road accidents.

Meja said human error, ignorance by drivers and conductors and unroadworthy vehicles have cost many Kenyan their lives.

Also to be included in the database are details on vehicles involved in accidents as well as drivers and conductors who commit offences, he said.

“Once a vehicle is involved in an accident, the information will be relayed to the control room. The authority inspectors will be able to act quickly and immediately blacklist the driver and conductors,” he added.

He said NTSA would confiscate licences of offenders and bar them from operating for not less than six months. Other reforms the authority is undertaking include issuing new generation number plates, regulations for commercial vehicles and smart PSV licensing.