Land Transport branch in Central region striving to control illegal high tariff of transport service

The Land Transport branch in the Central region disclosed that the necessary action would be taken towards controlling the unilateral imposition of illegal rising of transport tariff on the part of owners or drivers of public transport facilities. 
Asmara, 13 September 2010 – The Land Transport branch in the Central region disclosed that the necessary action would be taken towards controlling the unilateral imposition of illegal rising of transport tariff on the part of owners or drivers of public transport facilities. 

The head of the branch, Mr. Jemal Yassin, told ERINA that about 7,000 drivers were punished for violating traffic laws over the past 8 months, out of which the majority were those who illegally charged high tariff to passengers. In this respect, he explained that the branch is working diligently to control such incidence through deploying increased number of controllers and fostering close coordination with the public.

Stating that land transport controlling offices have been opened in different parts of the region which are operating until 7 in the evening, Mr. Jemal indicated that there are plans to strengthen control activities during both day and night along with heavy punishment. He went on to say that passengers are not duty-bound to pay tariff above the set legal price, and called on  taxi, bus and minibus drivers to provide service in accordance with the tariff imposed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Mr. Jemal urged the public to report to the Land Transport office whenever they are asked to pay high tariff so that the violators may be punished. Moreover, he explained that additional buses would be deployed in some areas in which transport problem are encountering.