Traffic services clamp down on un-roadworthy buses

By Sasha Forbes
05 May 2009

The City of Cape Town’s traffic officials say that they have so far ordered 20 long distance passenger buses to be removed from the road since the beginning of the year.

According to Traffic Services’ spokesperson Merle Lourens this follows a New Year decision to establish a specialised unit to combat overloading of long haul freight vehicles, buses and taxis.

It has been reported that from early January to the middle of April, un-roadworthy vehicles have been suspended from use on public roads.

Among them were 20 long- distance buses. In addition, drivers of 171 vehicles were fined for defective brakes, 5 hundred and seventy four for smooth tyres, 2 hundred and fifty nine for unlicensed vehicles and 1447 for other defects.