Commuter bus drivers urged to form SACCOS
THE government has urged public transporters in Mwanza, including commuter bus drivers and motorcyclists, to establish a Saving and Credit Cooperative Society (SACCOS) in order to strengthen their economy.
Director for Transport Services in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Engineer Aron Kisaka, made the remarks in the region on Saturday during a symposium organised by the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) and attended by various transport stakeholders.
The stakeholders among others include commuter buses associations, motorcyclist association, Bajaj associations and the Tanzania Buses Owners Association (TABOA).
The symposium enabled stakeholders to air their views on the 2023 Proposed LATRA Regulations, including business vehicles to be inspected twice in a year and e-ticketing to ensure safety and provision of quality services.
Eng Kisaka said the SACCOS would help commuter bus owners and motorcyclists (Bodaboda) to support one another financially.
He said the SACCOS would also enable them to initiate different development projects in the transportation sector like setting their own bus stand from which they can generate more income to deepen their investment as well as employment creation.
Mr Kisaka said financial cooperatives were critical in a rapidly changing world that needs everyone to cultivate financial literacy such as saving and investment, saying commuter buses and bodaboda economy can grow if owners and drivers demonstrate strong entrepreneurship spirit.
Additionally, he called for a well-coordinated public transporter association in collaboration with LATRA and the police force that will monitor daily land transport operations in the region as per rules and regulations to mitigate accidents to make citizens to enjoy the services offered.
For his part, LATRA Director, Mr Johansen Kahatano said the regulatory authority focuses on smoothening land transport investment and operation in the country.
A commuter bus driver from Victoria Drivers Association, Mr Mwaka Samson called upon the government to continue improving road infrastructures as rough roads, especially in village areas still hamper smooth citizens’ access to transport services as they damage vehicles.
