RTSA summons FM Buses operator
The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has summoned two passenger Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators to show cause why their Road Service Licences (RSL) should not be revoked for violating provisions of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002.
According to the Global Position System (GPS) monitored by the RTSA, the two passenger bus operators registered as Magondi Lodge and Kambeba Executive Lodge both trading as FM buses have disconnected the GPS on seven buses collectively, for the purposes of exceeding the prescribed maximum speed for public buses.
The Agency is of the view that the two passenger bus operators violated the conditions under which the operator’s licences were granted by tampering with the GPS installed on the buses thereby risking the safety of passengers and other road users.
Therefore, the Agency is exercising section 108(16) of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002, which empowers the RTSA to either revoke or suspend a Road Service Licence if the conditions subject to which the licence was granted are not being complied with.
And the RTSA has also given seven days to a PSV driver to show cause why his Driving Licence should not be revoked for driving in a dangerous manner.
Facts of the offence are that Mr. Bwalya Mwansa on Friday 11th February 2022, while driving a Toyota Hiace bus registration number AIC 5891zm along the Great North Road in Chisamba area, did drive in a dangerous manner by overtaking three trucks on a stretch that had heavy traffic without regard to other road users, thereby risking the safety of the passengers.
Public Service Vehicle drivers are expected to drive with due care bearing in mind the level of responsibility they assume. In this regard, the Agency is exercising section 68(1) (a) of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002 which empowers the RTSA to revoke or suspend driving licence, if in the opinion of the Director, the conduct or character of the holder of such a licence is rendered to be unfit to drive such a vehicle from the point of view of the safety of the public.
Issued by:FREDRICK MUBANGA
HEAD – PUBLIC RELATIONS
