Cops Arrest Unlicensed Taxis

DIRANG LEKUNTWANE
Correspondent | Monday October 25, 2010 00:00

Despite these arrests, only one motorist was charged up to P400 for the offence of unlawfully transporting passengers without a permit.  But a transport inspector with the department of roads and transport who preferred anonymity said their efforts to arrest and charge offenders are hampered by passengers themselves as they collude with the pirate motorists.

'If we catch a motorist on suspicion that he pirates passengers, they are the ones who will speak on his behalf.

Some even agree prior to taking such rides although they are being robbed of their monies,' he reveals. 'This is a worrying trend as these pirate motorists at times charge passengers exuberant prices,' he said. He said they are still trying to come up with appropriate measures to arraign offenders and they also plan to increase their penalties.

The illegal taxi operators who are often seen in front of big chain stores like Choppies, Eureka, Spar and Sef-Cash Superstores are said to be cheating passengers.

Meanwhile, the official said that currently they do not have stipulated regulations on transporter combis. 'We have no precise law or regulation to govern their operations. But customers has the right to choose their mode of transport,' he concluded.