MMC reacts to Tshwane bus service overloading incident
4 April 2019
The City of Tshwane’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC), responsible for Roads and Transport, Councillor (Cllr) Sheila Lynn Senkubuge is shocked by the images of an overloaded Tshwane bus service (TBS) that went viral on social media space earlier today.
Reports and allegations at the City’s disposal depict that the bus was packed to the rafters with school pupils. The said pictures are disturbing and are a cause for concern. Through the City’s internal processes it has been established that the bus was carrying 167 school kids instead of the prescribed 99 passenger capacity.
Cllr Senkubuge described the incident as horrific and “daring death”. “The City would like to emphasise its commitment to road safety and in strongest terms condemn the overloading of our buses”, says disturbed Senkubuge.
Furthermore, she called on members of the public to desist from pressuring drivers to allow additional passengers, school pupils in particular, on City’s buses. The bus driver involved was called in to account on what led to this despicable and dangerous conduct.
The City has noted that the recent pronouncements of fuel increases have resulted in commuters abandoning other modes of transport (opting for TBS) and this has resulted in influx of commuters in the City’s buses. It is also against this backdrop that the metropolitan municipality is working hard to procure more buses.
MMC Senkubuge has lauded the members of the SA Police Service and Tshwane Metro Police Department for enforcing traffic laws that govern and regulate vehicles without favour. “The City vehicles and drivers should not be excluded from rules that compel road users to behave in an orderly manner. We will be working with the City’s Department of Community Safety as we approach Easter holidays and beyond, to ensure that the law is upheld within the City’s boundaries at all times”, concluded Senkubuge.
Issued by Group Communication and Marketing.