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GOVERNMENT has lifted the suspension on three public transport operators’ licences following a review of their operations in which they breached terms and conditions of their licences leading to fatal road crashes.
Operators’ licences for Swaymo Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, trading as Blue Circle, Wipeco Investments (Pvt) Ltd, trading as City Bus and Simlex Coaches (Pvt) Ltd, had been suspended following some recent fatal accidents.
The operators’ buses had to be withdrawn from their routes until a review was conducted by the authorities to ensure that they were fully compliant with the law.
Speaking to journalists, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the bus operators will be placed on a Compliance Monitoring Programme to continuously assess adherence to regulatory requirements.
“Going forward, the bus operators will be placed on a Compliance Monitoring Programme to continuously assess adherence to regulatory requirements and further reiterated that the Ministry will make use of ICT tools to monitor compliance of all transport operators,” he said.
“We want to ensure regulatory violations are recorded in real time as vehicles pass through tolling points.
“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development wishes to advise members of the public that it has lifted the suspension of the licences for operation of all omnibuses belonging to Swaymo Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd; Wipeco Investments (Pvt) Ltd and Simlex Coaches (Pvt) Ltd with effect from 3 June, 2024.
“The said operators breached the terms and conditions of the licenses issued to them, leading to fatal road crashes that occurred on 9 and 16 March 2024 in Western Cape, South Africa, and in Beitbridge respectively.
“They operated public service vehicles without valid motor and passenger insurances, certificates of roadworthiness, road service permits, installed speed monitoring and limiting devices, and employed drivers without the requisite competencies.”
Minister Mhona condemned the recent acts of public violence at bus loading bays and ranks in Mutare saying such actions severely impact on safety and security of commuters, bus crews and members of the public especially children, women and people with disabilities.
Online Reporter