Hundreds
of passengers in Marigat are stranded at the bus stop after lacking vehicles to
their various destinations.
The challenge has been attributed to transport rule by the government,
which bans Public service vehicles from travelling after 6pm. The most affected were students who were
returning to school after a long festive holiday.
Fare
was hiked from the daily normal amount, forcing passengers to pay double as the
situation worsened. Most of the matatus broke the rules, carrying passengers
beyond the required capacity.
One of the matatu conductor who requested that his identity be withheld said, “Today we have earned a lot of money and now this
will be our Christmas, the transport rules are tough and we have to adhere to
avoid paying huge fine.”
“The students were
here as early as 7am to get means of going back to school, some were lucky but
others are still looking for other means,” said Esther Kimosop a business lady
at Marigat market.
The
normal passengers had a rough time because they were told to consider students
first.
Residents
of Marigat request the government to re-visit the recently passed rule and try
to adjust to a time whereby it will be convenient to all.
