Three bookings of breaches of the Public Service Vehicle drivers Code of Conduct will result in suspension of licences for a period up to one year according to the Land Transport Authority.
LTA chief executive officer Naisa Tuinaceva said PSV drivers needed to get accustomed to the requirements of the Code before next month when enforcement officers would be out on Fiji roads to monitor compliance.
“If we see drivers wearing round neck tee shirts, shorts or are in improper attire they will be booked,” he said.
“We will have special teams on roads around the country on February 12 and we have also sought the support of our stakeholders like the Fiji Taxi Union, Bus
Operators, and Minibus operators to inform members of provisions of the code.
“We will also work with police to enforce this code and three bookings of the same offence will mean a suspension of the licence for a period up to one year – depending on the severity of the offence.
“The code doesn’t outline anything new, these are things that they are educated on when they come for their Group Three and Four licences because it’s a requirement under the law.”
The comprehensive code demands respect, integrity and honesty from PSV drivers while they render transportation services to the public.
Respect is depicted through their dressing, verbal communication and attitude with passengers.
The code outlines neat and tidy dressing, which means drivers must not wear:
· Round neck t- shirts with sleeves cut off’s, hats, beanies, sunglass, chokers, ear rings or facial piercing
· Flip flops and slippers are prohibited
Instead they must don:
· Proper collar or round neck t-shirts and shirts must be worn with long pants.
· Pants must only be worn under special circumstances provided it falls past the knees in a sitting position.
· All drivers must wear close shoes and sandals.
Passenger safety requires the PSV not get into motion if the passenger is not safely seated inside the vehicle.
Other parts of the code detail the charging of correct fares and the need for PSV drivers to assist persons that have the authority to examine the vehicle.
Drivers must also avoid talking to passengers unless it is for safety or matters relating to the journey.
Talk is considered a distraction compromising passenger safety along with counting money while driving, using mobile phones and smoking.
As part of its awareness campaigns, the authority will distribute brochures simplifying the code further to PSV drivers.
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