A day after Super Metro owners challenged the National Transport and Safety Authority’s (NTSA) decision to halt its vehicles, the company ultimately complied with the authority’s requests.
A video shared online showed the popular commuter bus company’s vehicles queuing at the NTSA offices for inspection services in accordance with traffic regulations.
The clip showed many Super Metro minibuses queuing at the NTSA inspection center on Likoni Road in Nairobi.
A different video shows some Super Metro cars parked at the Kitengela Bus Park, while others are seen grounded in Juja, Kiambu County.
The judgment follows criticism from several Kenyans who accused the bus operator of violating the law by continuing to operate despite the suspension.
Super Metro’s owners, on Thursday, March 20, denied NTSA charges, describing the Authority’s decision to suspend the company’s licensing as not only unfair but also prejudiced.
According to Super Metro executives, the claims leveled against the corporation were old and false.
They insisted that the Sacco was completely in compliance with NTSA laws and had already remedied the issues identified in the notification.
“The decision to impose a summary suspension despite our proactive compliance is not only unfair but also prejudicial to the thousands of employees and their families who depend on Super Metro for their livelihoods,” said the Super Metro bosses.
“As a major employer in Kenya’s transport sector, this blanket ban threatens the economic stability of our workforce and disrupts essential services for our passengers,” they added.
On Thursday morning, the NTSA announced the suspension of Super Metro buses for noncompliance with Public Service Vehicle standards.
In a statement, the Authority stated that the suspension was necessary to check that the company was not only compliant but also had adopted safety measures to protect passengers.
“This is to notify the public that the authority has suspended Super Metro Limited’s operator licence until the company fully complies with the Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 2014, and other set conditions,” NTSA announced.
“Members of the public are cautioned against boarding vehicles belonging to Super Metro Limited.
The statement continued: “The Traffic Department is required to impound vehicles belonging to the company found operating contrary to the suspension.”
