TABOA highlights LATRA awards as a turning point for bus service quality

DODOMA: The Tanzania Bus Owners Association (TABOA) has applauded the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) for bestowing awards to the long-distance bus operators, noting the awards will be a springboard for bus company owners to increase the quality of services.

On Monday, LATRA bestowed awards to the best and safe long-distance bus operators, the event that was held during the opening of the National Road Safety Week and the 50 th Anniversary of the National Road Safety Council at the Jamhuri stadium in Dodoma.

The awards were handed over by the Vice -President Dr Philip Mpango who was the chief guest of the event whereby various companies emerged a winner including the bus operators with more than 30 buses such as Shabiby Line, Happy Nation, ABC Upper Class.

In an interview with Daily News the TABOA Secretary-General, Mr Priscus Joseph said that the awards are a sufficient indicator of recognizing and appreciating the bus operators.

“I applaud LATRA and the whole leadership for accomplishing this; these awards will help strengthen our relationship and cooperation with authority. It’s a terrific start,”Mr Joseph said.

He further urged the up-country bus operators to provide good service so that they can win the awards.

For his side, the authority’s Director General, CPA HAbibu Suluo said the award said that the aim of establishing the awards is to promote competition among bus operators and motivate them to offer quality services to customers.

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Clarifying before the Vice-President during the event, CPA Suluo said the authority has a legal mandate to encourage effective competition among regulated service providers under the Act, Cap. 413.

“This award is part of the implementation of our responsibility to encourage effective competition among long trip bus operators in the country,” he stressed.

According to the authority, the award for the best and safest long-distance bus operators with more than 30 buses went to Shabiby Line.

The award for the best and safest long-distance bus operators from 11 buses to 30 went to Tilisho Safaris, while the operator with three buses up to 10 was Sama Luxury Coach.

LATRA boss said the winners have been successfully awarded due to complying with LATRA’s rules and regulations including, issuing electronic receipts, not tampering with Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), few incidents of accidents, adhering fares set by the authorities and other related issues.