Matatu Owners Association Coast region coordinator Salim Mbarack Salim. [Photo/ Maxwell Ngala].
Owners of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) which have been operating within short distances in Mombasa have been asked to apply for temporary long-distance transport licences.Matatu Owners Association Coast region coordinator Salim Mbarack Salim has said matatus operating in Mombasa can get licences from theTransport and Licensing Board (TLB) so as to advantage of the increased number of passengers traveling to rural areas for the festive season.Salim said some Mombasa matatus have been traveling to Thika and Lamu without the relevant long distance licenses from TLB, a move he said would cost them.Mbarack said since the matatus are registered under their various Saccos, it was advisable for their owners to get temporary licences before they engage in long-distance transport activities.He noted that most matatu drivers were complaining of being harassed by traffic police officers and the National Transport and Safety Authority Officers (NTSA) yet they have been flouting traffic rules.“If we all abide by the traffic rules, then we will not be complaining about being harassed by traffic police. Let us change our attitudes as motorists and work together with the government,” said Salim.He, however, said the short distance matatu operators would only get the temporary long-distance transport licences through their Saccos.“One cannot be granted the licence if he files the application as the matatu owner or the driver. It must be done through our Saccos so that in case there are any problems then they can be easily handled by the Sacco management” he added.“Most Matatu drivers have been changing their routes during the festive season some transporting passengers to as far as Nairobi, Thika, Lamu or even Lungaunga yet the matatus are meant to ply the Bamburi-Likoni ferry route in Mombasa,” he added.Is there a newsworthy accident, incident or event happening in Mombasa County that you want Hivisasa to cover? Tell us what is happening by joining this group and have it published. http://bit.ly/2BipYa6