The Department of Transport has confirmed that the safety and rights of commuters remains one of the Department of Transport’s main priorities.
The Government has through the voice of the Minister of Transport expressed the objective to renew public transport fleets such as trains, buses, and taxis and to make sure that our commuter rights; comfort, safety and dignity are respected in all spheres of transport services.
Unfortunately we find media releases every day of taxi passengers flung from deteriorating and non road worthy vehicles. These unfortunate individuals seldom have a variety of choice between vehicles and are inclined to jump on the first available taxi.
The Road Safety strategy that has been developed by Government in light of passenger safety issues is summarised as follows:
What are the rights of these commuters? Public transport passengers have the right to:
- Freedom to choose the public transport mode or vehicle from those available that they would like to use;
- Safe public transport services and roadworthy vehicles;
- Drivers with valid license and professional driving permits;
- Travel on vehicles that are not overloaded or overcrowded;
- Travel on a public transport service without experiencing any form of harassment or discrimination
- Transport services that provide value for money.
What should be expected from public transport operators and their passengers?
- Transport operators at all levels should maximise efforts to improve safety.
- Good road behaviour should include stopping at traffic signs, safe speed, safer following distance and not driving under the influence of alcohol.
- Taxi operators and bus operators must respect the rights of the passengers they transport and commuters should be treated as contributors to social and economic development.
- Operators must ensure that their vehicles are driven by drivers who are medically fit to drive public passengers.
- Drivers MUST pay attention to passenger safety, rights and respect passengers.
- It is the responsibility of operators to prohibit drivers from harassing, intimidating or molesting passengers and to take action against drivers who do so.
- Passengers have the responsibility to make sure that vehicles stop before boarding or alighting, pay the valid fare for the trip and show tickets for inspection when required.
- Commuters have the right to ask the driver not to exceed the number of passengers permitted to be carried in the vehicle or board a vehicle, which is overloaded.
The Department of Transport has urged passengers, drivers and transport operators to treat each other with respect and dignity to achieve the goals of sustainable, affordable and reliable transport services.
Information supplied by www.arrivealive.co.za