Should NTSA control fares charged by PSV buses across the country? Kenyans react

Should NTSA control fares charged by PSV buses across the country?

Kenyans have shared their thought in regard to this move following reports that the ministry of Transport has drafted amendments to the Traffic Act and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Act seeking to control fares charged by PSVs across the country.

In some cases Kenyans have raised concern over the fact that some PSV hike fare prices during certain seasons and this is viewed as a way of extorting money from Kenyans.

In a press statement issued last year on 4th December, NTSA warned that they will revoke licenses of any public service vehicle (PSV) operator found to be exploiting passengers by charging more than the usual amount.

“Our attention has been drawn to complaints by members of the public regarding exploitation through arbitrary increase of fair by PSV operators… We therefore reiterate that an operator risks revocation of their road license should the Authority receive a report of such an incidence,” said NTSA.

Even as some Kenyans believe that NTSA, given the powers to regulate the fares, some feel that they should not be allowed to interfere with the matatu business.

Have a look at the reactions

This matatu pple they are becoming tooooooo much, I don’t understand how fare from town to thika is 100 bob and on the same road town to Roysambu or Githurai is almost the same or even same (80-100)bob— Oliver Andega (@OAndega) March 13, 2019

A big YES! they have extorted us for long.— gris_k (@grisonk) March 13, 2019

I fully support the move to regulate the matatu industry. Recently after signing of the finance Bill we had matatus raising fare by 100% and they haven’t reduced despite the reduced fuel costs. Case study being Chep Sacco which passengers paid for their seat belts— Titus Kitur (@profkitur) March 13, 2019

Do they even have the capacity to do so?— Dr. Man (@Kurgatz) March 13, 2019

A very noble idea but will it see the light of the day bearing in mind the cartels in the transport industry— Jaduong’ evans jakom (@JaduongEvans) March 13, 2019

Let’s face it , they’ll just make it worse— tigawanna (@denwki) March 13, 2019

NO,It will never work here in Kenya…what system will they use?what measures in regards to regulation and last but not least where do complainants go?— Kevin Rono (@KevinRonix) March 13, 2019