PSV body construction standards set to change, NTSA says
The National Transport and Safety Authority is planning to introduce new passenger vehicle body construction standards for public service vehicles. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The standard which is referred to as KS372:2014 will be implemented to ensure the uniformity of all passenger vehicles.
- The transport authority is adopting the new standard as a safety measure on the roads.
Passenger service vehicles (PSV) will soon be required to adhere to new body construction standards before they are allowed to operate on the roads, according to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
The standard, referred to as KS372:2014, will be implemented to ensure the uniformity of all passenger vehicles and as a safety measure on the roads.
"Bus accidents are fatal because of the poor construction of buses in Kenya," said Gerald Wangai, NTSA director of motor vehicle inspection.
According to Mr Wangai, PSV operators importing vehicles must ensure that they conform to the standards, as they will be inspected by Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) at the port. Body builders will be assessed by organisations accredited by the Kenya Accreditation Service.
The criteria that PSVs must adhere to include no luggage racks on the roofs, 400mm passenger seats, safety belts and safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and first aid kits, said Zakaria Lukorito of Kebs.
