YOGAS NAIR
CONTROVERSIAL bus company SA Roadlink has launched a new brand image and bus fleet in KwaZulu-Natal.
Company CEO Allan Reddy said yesterday that in recent years his company’s image had been tarnished by negative publicity after several bus crashes and vehicles being impounded for not being roadworthy.
Reddy said: “We have been cleared of any wrongdoings and this move is to try and change the perception that our buses are not safe.
“Despite all the negative publicity, business has not suffered. That has allowed us to purchase six new buses for KZN.”
Reddy attributed the negative publicity to a “political smear campaign” to discredit his business.
“Accidents do happen. That’s part of life. But none of the crashes were as a result of driver negligence.
“Nothing has come out of any the cases.”
He said the entire fleet was expected to be replaced by February next year.
“Drivers are being trained by Scania, a recognised giant in the heavy transport industry. In addition, we have employed a full-time driver trainer to ensure best safety and driving practices are adhered to.”
A 24-hour customer service care-line has also been set up to assist passengers.
According to the National Department of Transport, between 2007 and 2009 more than 415 bus accidents took place and 689 fatalities were reported.
Spokesman Logan Maistry said yesterday that the major cause of these crashes included unroadworthy vehicles or driver error caused by speed, fatigue, lack of concentration and driving under the influence of alcohol.
He said this resulted in the operational driving hours for bus drivers being reviewed, as well as the requirement of a relief driver during long-distance trips.
Another major problem identified by the department was that vehicles failed by a vehicle testing station (VTS) in one province were passed by a VTS in a different province.
Maistry said this had prompted Transport Minister S’bu Ndebele to appoint a task team to deal with the issue of fraudulent inter-provincial cross-border roadworthy certificates. He said: “All public transport operators must ensure that their passengers are transported safely and reliably.
“Basic minimum quality standards must be in place to transport passengers in a safe, efficient and reliable manner.”
He said that as part of the global Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, they called on all public transport operators to take responsibility for the safety of their commuters.
“Road safety is not only the government’s responsibility. Road safety is everybody’s responsibility,” Maistry said. “We are pleading with all South Africans to take personally the fight against road deaths, and to work together to bring down road deaths in the country.”