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RTMC: 'Corruption is a problem'

'The reality is that trucks... and buses are getting licences illegally - operators of unroadworthy public transport should face harsh consequences' - so sayeth the RTMC

"The operators of unroadworthy public transport should face harsh consequences." The words of the Road and Traffic Management Corporation's  (RTMC) acting CEO Gilberto Martins. (He doesn't mention the state/provincial apparachiks who collude with them, however.)

CORRUPTION TO BLAME

"Our people (passengers) are forced to sit in a taxi which is in absolutely no condition to be on the road. Reality is that there are trucks, vehicles and buses which are getting licences illegally," he added.

"Certainly, corruption is a problem. We need a behavioural change on our roads. When you are stopped (by a police officer) and you are travelling at the right speed, you give over your card (licence) and there shouldn't be a problem."

Is the RTMC only just realising that corruption is a problem? Also, who is being FORCED to sit in a taxi?

RTMC officials were inspecting the Salvokop service and maintenance depot of Autopax in Pretoria, a bus company owned by the Passenger Rail Agency of SA operating more than 100 buses under Translux and City-to-City brands.

A declaration of intent was signed by Martins and Autopax CEO Tumisang Kgaboesele committing the bus company to uphold and enforce road rules and regulations. Kgaboesele urged passengers to use seatbelts fitted in long-distance buses.

CALL TO ACTION

Kgaboesele said: "Results from the examination of our crashed buses over the last three years indicate that had passengers been wearing seat belts they would have survived. We have introduced monitoring for our buses through a tracking device. It sends an alarm when speed limits are exceeded at which point we contact the driver."

He said a Translux bus driver, overtaking on a solid white line on the N1 through the Karoo, had been photographed by a member of the public. The driver was dismissed.

Have you spotted bus/taxi drivers exhibiting poor behaviour on the road? Send us your images and we'll publish them on Wheels24. Note: It's important to capture the offence being committed.

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