DRTS states conditions for Public transport operators

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Friday March 5, 2010 00:00

The spokesperson for the Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS) Amos Motshegwe says operators who have been plying short routes have to first take the vehicles concerned for a roadworthiness test before they can apply for the variation permit.

Motshegwe pointed out that preference would be given to the already existing operators when it comes to loading.

DRTS has said in a press release that temporary permit holders must only load after the current operators on the respective routes have loaded and when there are no buses or vehicles queuing.

DRTS added that temporary permit holders must adhere to the operational dates reflected in their permit and failure to do so may lead to revocation of the temporary permits or a penalty not exceeding P2000. The permit stresses that loading must start at the bus rank/departure points and no U-turns along the route are allowed.

The applications have been open since the beginning of the month and end on March 9. 'No application will be accepted after March 9', DRTS, says.

DRTS further informs, operators interested in a Trip variation for the Easter Holidays that they must make the request by March 26th. The department stressed that no late Trip Variation applications will be processed after that date.

Operators interested in providing additional services will have to ferry passengers from Gaborone to Francistown, Maun, Ghanzi, Orapa, Selibe Phikwe, Bobonong and Tsabong with 60 seater or more buses.

Other routes from Gaborone to Palapye, Lobatse, Serowe, Mochudi, Molepolole, Kanye and Jwaneng are urged to provide 25 seater buses or more.

Motshegwe said the need for additional services is high during holidays, as current operators may have hired out the buses, which normally operate on that route. He encouraged operators that trade on routes that are not busy to apply for Trip Variations to help out travellers.