Learners face steeper fares due to transport crisis

By DANN OKOTH

Kenya: Parents should brace for higher fares as schools re-open today for the second term following a stand-off between the Government and public transport operators over new traffic rules.

Matatu Welfare Association chairman Dickson Mbugua warned that high demand for public transport could prompt operators of the Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) to charge higher fares and urged parents to make prior arrangements.

“Only 40 per cent of the PSVs have complied with the new rules and as schools re-open there would be a high demand for public transport, tempting many operators to charge higher fares,” Mbugua said.

He added: “We advise parents to prepare for any such eventuality but we also urge our members to be considerate and avoid charging excessively high fares to lessen the burden on parents.”

“PSV operators should also ensure they inform passengers of any changes in the fare before they board the vehicles,” he said.

The high fares would be an added burden to parents who are also likely to be slapped with higher schools fees as tuition fees, amid rising cost of living occasioned by high inflation rates.

The problem could be compounded by lack of night travel by public service vehicles as the tough new rules introduced by the National Transport and Safety Authority continue to bite.

Under the new rules, all public vehicles must belong to a Sacco that has at least 30 vehicles.

Each Sacco must give the safety authority a list of all their employees and every month they must submit a report showing how many of their vehicles were involved in accidents.

All the PSVs are also required to remove roof racks, especially posing a challenge for students traveling with large suitcases and boxes.

Public service vehicles plying long-distance upcountry routes are required to install fleet management systems. These include tracking de vices that will record the location and speed of the vehicle at any given time. This data must be stored for at least six months.

The vehicles must also keep passenger manifests as well as display a fare schedule for the various destinations.

Operators who are keen to have their vehicles on the road at night are required to employ two drivers per vehicle — with each driver being behind the wheel for not more than eight hours. They should also have 30-minute breaks after every four hours travel.

The Government has hailed the new rules, especially the ban on night travel as an important development in curbing road carnage. Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo observed that road carnage had reduced significantly since the night ban on buses and trucks was imposed.