AfricaPress-Tanzania: MBEYA Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila has cautioned commuter bus drivers who were on strike in the morning yesterday that they risk losing their licences if they continue with the strike.
He said the decision not to bar tricycle ‘Bajaji’ vehicles from operating in the city centre was taken on the consideration that it has provided employment to a good number of youths.
He threatened to revoke licenses of commuter bus drivers if they continue with the strike, ordering government-owned vehicles including those used by security organs to carry passengers to various destinations across the region.
“Striking will not bring any positive results. I have the mandate to revoke all your licenses and direct public vehicles from the police and prisons to offer commuter transport services,” the RC affirmed.
“Whoever wishes to continue offering commuter bus services will be required to apply for a license after that,” he stated.
Public transport in Mbeya city was paralyzed early yesterday after commuter bus operators halted services to push the government to lock out of business the three wheeler taxis, saying the three wheelers take their passengers, thus affecting their daily income.
They also demanded that ‘Bajaj’ drivers be prohibited from parking near commuter bus stands within the city centre zone, a demand similarly rejected by the regional authorities.
Many people, including school going pupils, were stranded as the strike broke out early in the morning, spending hours waiting for buses to turn up.
Surprisingly, the commuter bus drivers were trying to restrain various other vehicles from carrying passengers, insisting that commuters must use the three wheeler taxis.
They were shouting that the law regulating transport in the city stipulates that motorcycles and three wheelers are supposed to operate in the peripheral areas and not the city centre.
Interviewed, some city residents said the strike had affected them economically since they could not be at workplaces and offices on time.
Debora Njobelo, a resident of Isanga in the city said: “My office is allocated at Uyol., I was forced to hire a motorbike at a cost of 1,500/- while I normally use 400/- when using public transport. There was not a single vehicle at the commuter bus stand.”
Debora called upon regional authorities to resolve the matter because they are spending too much money for transport and the situation was unsustainable for lowly paid workers.
Another resident, Angel Mbotwa urged the government to come up with a better arrangement for both commuters buses and Bajaj drivers to avoid conflicts, noting that Bajaj drivers were previously operating in peripheral areas, but they are now found in bus stops along the main roads.
A commuter bus driver, Martin Mlay pointed an accusing finger at RC Chalamila, arguing that the RC had failed to help the drivers.
“The RC told us to sell our commuter buses and purchase three wheeler taxis (if it earns more) because he cannot order Bajaj drivers to stop operating in the city centre,” the driver asserted.
Last week, the Tanzania Bus Owners Association (TABOA) apologized for travel disruptions which ensued after some TABOA members grounded vehicles over an e-ticketing directive.
At that time there was an agreement with the government to suspend boycott plans, with TABOA Secretary General Joseph Priscus saying that some members had delayed or completely cancelled long haul bus trips, as negotiations with government officials ended at 10 in the morning for the new position to start being relayed to TABOA members, and the terms thereof.
