The public transport system is on the verge of a major shake-up as the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) hints at a possible overhaul of the current public service vehicle SACCO system.
This comes at a time when motorists are expected to face a major shake-up in the transport system.
According to the director general of the NTSA, the government is reviewing structural reforms to improve the current road safety system. The current SACCO system may no longer be effective, the director general stated. “We want to repackage public transport to have better investments and jobs. Maybe it is time to change the way we arrange public transport. Maybe the SACCO model is not working,” the director general stated during an interview on NTV.
The director general stated that the government is looking to establish structured operational frameworks to restore order on the road. “This is a problem that cannot be solved with instant fines and cameras,” the director general stated.
NTSA is also planning to modernize motor vehicle inspections to a more automated and scientifically based process to ensure vehicles meet more stringent safety standards. Kondiwa admitted that the process is old and stated that making it modern would mean additional costs to motorists.
The authority is also developing an International Road Assessment Programme to identify every road section across the country. The program aims to identify areas that need to be addressed urgently to enhance road safety. The program also aims to identify safety risks to pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
Other planned reforms by the NTSA include revamping inspection centers, installing over 1,000 surveillance cameras across the country within the next three years, and improving road markings with speed limits and safety warnings around camera locations. The newly planned road contracts are also set to address these issues from the outset.
The High Court has also temporarily stopped NTSA from implementing its newly introduced instant fines. Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued a conservatory order on Thursday to stop NTSA from implementing its newly introduced instant fines.
The order was issued to allow enough time to hear a petition filed by Lawyer Shadrack Wambui contesting the directive.
The proposed changes mark a significant move towards a new era of managing public transport, safety enforcement, and road infrastructure to create a safe
