TENSION HIGH BETWEEN LOCAL, CROSS-BORDER OPERATORS

MBABANE – It’s a ticking time-bomb waiting to explode. This best describes a looming war in the public transport industry said to be perpetrated by the issuance of ad hoc cross-border permits to local operators allegedly by the Road Transportation Board (RTB).

Issuing of such permits is much against a resolution taken by the players in the industry on December 13, 2017.
The resolution, which Swazi News has a copy of, was intended to avert the looming war as the cross-border operators believe the local operators were invading their territory.

Part of the resolution that was signed by the secretary of the National Road Transport Council (NRTC), reads: “The meeting agreed or settled for the following: 1. Ad hoc permits should be specific to a route and should not to go to joint venture route without approval of the associations. 2. Associations should be aware of a local permit holder requiring a cross-border permit.

3. Single trip passenger list should be issued and returned before issuance of a new one. 4. Cross-Border Associations should be informed if a local permit holder goes to the same city where agreements are in place.”  

According to the document, those who were present during the meeting include officers from the RTB, Swaziland Interstate Transport Association, Shiselweni Kombi Association, Hhohho Long Distance Cross Border Transport Association and the Swaziland Local Transport Association (SLTA).

Chairman of the Cross Border Association, Ncedi Magagula confirmed that they were part of the meeting.
Magagula said they agreed that there would be respect on each member’s mode routes, which is local kombi, buses association andcross-border interstate where relevant.

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