SuperMetro Limited has issued a statement refuting the recent claims by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

As reported by Sport.bangjo.co.id.co.ke, Super Metro stated that the accusations made by NTSA are considered outdated and baseless following the revocation of their operating license for the transport service.

The firm maintained that it has strictly adhered to NTSA guidelines and has resolved all issues brought up during the inquiry.

What prompted NTSA to halt operations of Super Metro?

The conflict arose after NTSA released a statement accusing SuperMetro of several regulatory breaches, such as running buses with lapsed inspection certifications and RSLs, problems with their speed limiting devices, and employees not passing recertification exams.

On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the NTSA issued a statement accusing Super Metro of breaching numerous safety protocols and labor laws. The violations included outdated inspection certifications for 15 buses, lapsed road service licenses for eight, invalid speed limiter approvals for five, and the lack of operational speed display systems in 88 units.

Moreover, 171 vehicles did not have speed limiter data, seven lacked vendor information, and 190 were recorded exceeding the permissible speed of 80 Kph.

The NTSA further claimed that Super Metro did not adhere to labor regulations by failing to enlist their staff on the payroll, omitting mandatory contributions, and ignoring legal vacation entitlements as well as documented work agreements.

Super Metro's reaction to the NTSA accusations

On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Super Metro Limited issued a press release confirming their compliance with all NTSA regulations.

We maintain that the accusations are obsolete and baseless since we have adhered completely to NTSA guidelines and have already resolved issues highlighted in their probe.

"All certification documents and Road Service Licenses for the specified vehicles were updated before the suspension took place. Furthermore, once we detected problems related to speed limiters, we immediately contacted our suppliers, who then resolved these issues in every impacted vehicle. These remedial measures were finalized well ahead of time, guaranteeing adherence to NTSA regulations," stated Super Metro through an official communication from their media department.

The NTSA claimed that out of Super Metro’s drivers, 64 did not pass a retest held on March 10, 2025, resulting in the revocation of their licenses. Nonetheless, Super Metro maintained that these allegations do not accurately represent the present state of the company’s operations.

"The drivers in question completed the necessary retraining and retesting three weeks ago, as required. All impacted drivers have now been recertified and are fully qualified to handle our vehicles," the company said.

The NTSA further alleged breaches of the Public Service Vehicles Regulations, mainly regarding labor practices and mandatory deductions. In reply, SuperMetro maintained its compliance with all labor laws, specifically pointing out their adherence to Section 5(1)(e) of the Public Service Vehicles Regulations.

"Super Metro has guaranteed adherence to regulations by obtaining signed agreements from both our drivers and employees, along with current documentation of PAYE, NSSF, and SHA contributions. This paperwork is ready for NTSA inspection, and we continue to prioritize the wellbeing of our team members," the company stated.

Super Metro asks NTSA to review their decision again

SuperMetro Limited voiced their discontent with the choice to enforce an immediate suspension, arguing that it threatens the jobs of numerous employees and hampers crucial services for commuters.

"The choice to enforce an immediate suspension, even though we have been compliant from the start, is both unjust and detrimental to the numerous employees and their families who rely on Super Metro for sustenance," the statement said.

The firm mentioned that they are ready to work more closely with NTSA to address any lingering issues.