Super Metro Limited has halted its operations for three days after the Transport Licensing Appeals Board (TLAB) ordered the immediate disengagement of 269 drivers and reinstated the National Transport and Safety Authority’s (NTSA) earlier directive suspending the company’s services.
In a statement issued on Monday, the company acknowledged that it had made substantial progress in meeting regulatory requirements but confirmed that a temporary suspension had been imposed to finalise the process.
"Super Metro Limited wishes to inform the public and our valued customers that we have achieved 90 per cent compliance with the directives issued by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Transport Licensing Appeals Board (TLAB)," Super Metro stated.
The TLAB, during a hearing held on Monday, issued several binding instructions aimed at addressing outstanding safety violations.
It directed the operator to present eight vehicles with speed limiter issues and thirty-one others with inspection deficiencies to the Likoni Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre for compliance checks.
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Additionally, the tribunal ruled that 42 drivers cited for speeding violations must undergo immediate retesting.
“42 of the appellant's drivers with overspeeding violations shall be immediately presented for retest at the Likoni Driver Test Centre.”
The most severe measure taken by the Board was the directive requiring Super Metro to part ways with hundreds of its drivers named in an NTSA affidavit.
"The appellant shall immediately disengage 269 drivers as per the list marked ‘SPM7’ annexed to the Respondent's replying affidavit sworn on April 10, 2025," the court documents read.
The tribunal also required the company to furnish NTSA with documentation from its road safety sensitisation sessions, including minutes and driver attendance records.
In the meantime, the TLAB reinstated the suspension initially imposed by NTSA, effectively barring the company from operating until full compliance is verified.
“The Respondent's directive (NTSA/C/RT/010/2VOL.(1) dated March 18, 2025, suspending the operations of the appellant is hereby reinstated. The appellant shall forthwith cease operations pending further orders upon confirmation of compliance with the terms of the orders herein.”
Super Metro said it would comply with the tribunal’s ruling and resume services only after receiving clearance from the authorities.
"We are working diligently to address the outstanding compliance issues within the stipulated timeframe and will resume operations as soon as we receive approval from the relevant authorities," Super Metro stated.
The matter is scheduled for mention on April 17, 2025, for confirmation of compliance and any further directions from the tribunal.
