By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Sierra Leone Drivers and General Transport Workers Union has told Politico that the government’s latest order for transport workers to reduce passengers will not be implemented on poda-podas (mini-buses) and taxis.
Alpha Amadu Bah said the law will only affect Kekehs (Rickshaws) and long buses, noting that this was part of the measures that was agreed by government.
“One of the things that we agreed on was for all Kekehs to reduce to two passengers. We didn’t include the poda-podas. It shouldn’t be overloaded, but should take its normal capacity. Taxis should also not overload but should take the normal three passengers at the back and one in the front,” he said.
Taxis in the country take four passengers in total. Poda-podas accommodate between 18 to 24 passengers, depending on the size. With poda-podas, the seats are normally closely fixed in tight rows.
Bah said they might review the capacity of these bigger transportation vehicles if the need arises.
Residents in the Western Area heavily rely on transportation services provided by buses, poda-podas, kekehs and taxis. The new measures to decongest some of these modes of transportation is part of a raft of other measures announced by government to decongest public spaces.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Transport on Thursday, it states: “Overloading in all public and private vehicles is prohibited, no standing, no middle seats allowed, all Kekehs must reduce one passenger per seat; Commercial/public vehicles without ventilations will not be allowed to ply.”
All these above category of transport workers have also been advised to provide hand sanitizers for their respective passengers.
Bah said the union is currently mobilizing its Marshalls to sensitize transport workers on the essence of the new measures.
These new changes could affect commercial drivers because the reduction of passengers would mean they will have to carry much more passengers per day to make ends meet.
A Kekeh rider in Freetown, who preferred anonymity, said he would have to either increase his transport fare from the normal Le2000 per distance or run half of the distance for the same amount.
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