PMVs, taxis using white plates

 NATIONAL Capital District (NCD) PMV Association chairman Jack Waso says taxi and PMV operators are using private vehicle plate numbers and “stealing” money from people.

He raised the issue about PMV and taxi operators, saying they should apply to the NCD Land Transport Authority and Motor Vehicle Insurance Ltd (MVIL) to obtain public transport licence and yellow plates.

“White plates are for private-owned vehicles and yellow plates are for public transport,” Waso said.

“If a bus or taxi is operating with a white plate, then it is illegally collecting passengers’ money.

“The public has every right to report it so that these culprits are fined K1000.”

Waso brushed aside public vehicle owners’ claims that obtaining a licence and getting registered was “a difficult and long process” as an excuse to avoid following registration procedures.

“All these operators must come to the Land Transport Office at Gordon and apply for the licence which comes with the yellow plates.

“There are transport officers who will help you to get a licence freely and it won’t cost you any money.”

Waso warned that a new transport authority made up of the National Road Safety Council, Transport Authorityand NCDC traffic police would do road check-ups leading up to the 2015 Pacific Games.

“If a public vehicle is found to have a white plate, they will pay a spot-fine of K1000.”

He said all PMVs and taxis should be registered, in good condition, fault-free and clean with drivers and crew abiding by traffic rules.

Waso urged drivers and crews to get their respective permits from the transport authority and always operate in their own routes, not stealing others’ routes.