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Bus/taxi operators defy RATSA
Chipata….September 15, 2014, ZANIS… Some public vehicle operators in
Chipata district have defied government order to paint green ribbons
on their vehicles.
The taxi and bus operators said they will not paint the approved green provincial
ribbons as required by Law because they want to evade taxi which they
say was too high.
Adron Phiri said taxi drivers do not want to paint ribbons because they
will be obliged to pay Public Service Viehicle (PSV)and Road Service
licenses Tax to the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RSTA).
Mr Phiri appealed to government to reduce the tax if all pirate taxis
and other public transport operators were to paint their vehicles.
He further stated that business for taxi drivers gets affected because
passengers usually refuse to use taxis that have ribbons on them.
Another taxi driver Josias Sakala says drivers spend a lot of time
when waiting to be issued with PSV licenses.
“We drive Passenger Vehicles (PSV) and drivers tend to pay a lot
because licenses expire every year and need to be renewed and this
becomes expensive for drivers. We don’t want to waste time on renewing
licenses; we would rather spend that time making money instead of
renewing licenses,” Said Mr Sakala.
Francis Tembo also added that painting ribbons should not be
considered as an offence because drivers are able to pay taxes for
their vehicles.
Meanwhile, RTSA acting senior Public Relations Manager Fredrick
Mubanga has advised all public vehicle operators to abide by the law.
Speaking in a telephone interview with ZANIS, Mr. Mubanga said motorists need to
know that if they drove a Public Service vehicle without a ribbon the matter will
be treated like any other traffic offence for which they will be charged.
