Super Metros’ fleet of matatus can now hit the road following a reprieve by the Transport Licensing Appeals Board lifting a suspension of their operating license imposed by the National Transport and Safety Authority’s NTSA.
The board chairman Adrian Kamotho, said that the fleet is at liberty to immediately resume operations in due compliance with the law.
This is after Super Metro appealed against the suspension, arguing that it had invested heavily in aligning its operations with regulatory requirements and claimed that NASA’s suspension would cripple its operations and harm thousands of livelihoods.
In its appeal, the Sacco asserted that the suspension is based on conjecture and insufficiently investigated facts.
NTSA suspended Super Metro Limited’s operating license on March 20 for multiple violations of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) regulations.
NTSA said that the decision aims to ensure road safety and regulatory compliance.
A thorough examination of the company’s operations revealed numerous instances of noncompliance, according to the authority, including vehicle inspection and licensing failures, speed limiter violations, unqualified drivers, and labor law violations.
Hundreds of Super Metro vehicles lined up for urgent inspections at the NTSA center on Likoni Road on Friday.
Among the key areas of scrutiny were the vehicles’ bodywork, speed limiters, lighting systems, safety belts, and tyre conditions.