Super Metro to Resume Operations After Securing Court Order

Matatu operator Super Metro has been granted an interim order allowing it to resume operations after the Transport Licensing Appeals Board (TLAB) stayed a decision by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) that had suspended its services.

In an order issued by TLAB Chairman Dr. Adrian Kamotho on Monday, March 24, the Board ordered the appeal be considered ex-parte in the first instance and directed the NTSA to respond to the motion by Tuesday, March 25.

The court order indicated that the suspension that NTSA issued on Tuesday, March 18 has been halted temporarily.

This allows Super Metro to resume operations as a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operator, pending a full hearing of the matter scheduled for Thursday, March 27.

"That pending inter-partes hearing of the motion and the Memorandum of Appeal herein on Thursday, March 27, an interim order is hereby issued staying the execution/enforcement/operation of the decision of the respondent dated March 18, 2025 (NTSA/C/RT/010/2VOL. (1)), suspending the operations of the appellant herein, Super Metro Sacco Limited as a PSV operator. The appellant is at liberty to immediately resume operations in due compliance with the law," read part of the court order.

Additionally, the court order mandated immediate service of the court directive upon the Inspector General of the National Police Service.

NTSA suspended Super Metro's operator license until the company fully complies with the Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 2014 and other set conditions. 

In a statement on Thursday, March 20, NTSA said the decision was necessitated by the need to ensure the company is compliant and has put in place safety measures to protect the lives of its passengers and other road users.

“This is to notify the Public that the Authority has suspended Super Metro Limited’s operator license until the Company fully complies with the Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 2014 and other set conditions.

"The decision was necessitated by the need to ensure the Company is not only compliant, but that it has put in place safety measures to protect the lives of its passengers and other road users,” the statement read in part.

The Authority directed Super Metro to present 294 vehicles with various violations to the respective speed limiter vendors for compliance checks.

The 294 vehicles were also to be taken for inspection at the Likoni Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre and obtain compliance reports for all the vehicles.

Super Metro was also ordered to present 42 drivers for a retest at the Likoni Driver Test Centre.

“The Company must present forty-two (42) drivers, out of the one hundred and nine (109) drivers with speed violations, for a retest at the Likoni Driver Test Centre. We note that 64 of the Company’s drivers failed a retest on 10th March 2025 and this led to the suspension of their respective driving licenses,” NTSA noted.

Other directives include; disengaging unqualified drivers, presenting signed contracts for their drivers and other staff including proof of compliance with Section 5(1)(e), a six-month record of staff payroll, PAYE, NSSF, and SHA remittances, and the company to conduct a road safety sensitization for all its drivers.