Public Transport paralyzed in Kisumu as confusion mars implementation of Michuki rules.

 Kisumu Main Bus Terminus where only a few Passengers service vehicles which have complied with the Michuki rules were spotted this morning.Public transport has today been paralyzed in Kisumu City and its environs following the Government’s heightened mission to enforce the traffic rules and regulations-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

By Dickson Odhiambo.

November 12, 2018.

Public Transport paralyzed in Kisumu as confusion mars implementation of Michuki rules.

PUBLIC Transport has today been paralyzed in Kisumu City and its environs following the Government’s heightened mission to enforce the traffic rules and regulations and continue with crackdown on Passengers service vehicles that have not complied.

A spot check by this writer at the Kisumu Main Bus Terminus reveals that only a few Passengers Service Vehicles which have complied with the National Transport and Safety Act 2013, the Traffic Act Cap 403, and the Legal notice 161 of 2003 commonly known as Michuki rules.

A number of passengers were seen stranded within the Main bus terminus as most of the passengers’ service vehicles which have since complied raised exorbitant fares.

Some passengers whom this writer has interviewed have complained about the increased fare for matatus for various roots.

A passenger who requested anonymity claimed that Matatus plying Bondo –Usenge route now charge shs 500 from Kisumu to Bondo instead of the normal shs 250 or shs 300.

Another has also claimed that those matatus plying for Kisumu-Oyugis route charge about 450 instead of shs 250.

Kisumu Ahero Mowuok Transport Company Secretary Jack Ochieng says the rate of compliance has been very positive but with a number of challenges.

He says already some confusions have emerged between the Police and the Ministry of Transport’s Circular on how to implement it with the police enforcing the law.

“The Circular from the Ministry says there should be a continuous yellow band on both side while a circular from the NTSA says the yellow band should be dotted one. This has confused us further,” he says.

The other thing he says is about the signature and the stamp being signed on the back of the drivers’ photos where there is a confusion where others have been signed by the Regional Traffic Enforcement Officer while others have been signed by the NTSA.

He however denies that the matatu plying Kisumu-Oyugis have hiked fares to shs 450, adding that they charge only shs 300 from Kisumu to Oyugis.

During the morning hours, several members of the public literally walked to work after they failed to get the Public Service Vehicles to transport them to work as the reality sinking about the need by all the PSVs to comply with the said rules and regulations.

Majority have vowed to work to and from their work places until sanity is brought back to the public transport sector which have been having a big mess without complying to the laid down rules and regulation.

The Government has intensified a serious crackdown on PSV whose drivers and conductors, Saccos a/Transport companies, passengers and other relevant parties that have failed to comply with the provisions of the NTSA Act and Traffic Act.

The enforcement begun today in the morning in most parts of the country.

National Transport and Safety Act 2013, the Traffic Act Cap 403, and the Legal notice 161 of 2003 commonly known as “Michuki rules” requires that all the PSVs must among other provisions in the law be fitted with Speed Limiters/Governors, Safety belts on the seats, Yellow Continuous line.

All PSVs drivers and conductors are required to wear uniforms and PSV badges as prescribed by the law as well as prominently display their photos as prescribed by the law.

 ENDS: