No law to prosecute

 THE Independent Consumer and Competition Commission does not have the power to prosecute public vehicle operators who charge high fares.

It says the police traffic department is responsible for that. 

The commission was responding to a newspaper report on PMV drivers operating in the National Capital District who were charging commuters more than the stipulated fare of 80 toea.

It said in a statement that there were five government agencies playing significant roles in the regulation and policing of the PMV industry. But all these agencies do not have the power to enforce and prosecute perpetrators of the fare policy. 

“The National Road Safety Council is responsible for safety and service standard aspect of the industry.

“The lands transport division of the Department of Transport and Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited are responsible for licensing and registration respectively.

“We are responsible for the regulation of PMV fares,” the commission statement said. 

“But enforcing the law and charging perpetrators of the regulation are not within our jurisdiction.”

Police said there was no law under the Motor Vehicle Act to prosecute PMV operators who breached the regulations.

PMV operator, John Doma said they had to charge higher fares on routes where there was regular traffic congestion. An example is the road from Gordon to Eight-Mile where the current road construction caused traffic congestion.

“Time taken to do for example 10 return trips is reduced to five return trips hence a drop in revenue,” he said.

ICCC said in such situations, the operators should approach the ICCC with their concerns before increasing the fares.