ONATRACOM buses impounded

HUYE — The Police in Huye district last week impounded five buses belonging to a public transport services operator, onatracom because they were in a ‘dangerous mechanical condition,’ triggering a fury among passengers who were on board. The impounded buses had not been taken for the mandatory technical check up , according to Police sources at Ngoma Police Station. The impounding of the buses comes hot on the heels of numerous accidents involving the operator’s buses which are believed to be in poor mechanical conditions. The buses were plying the Kigali Rusizi route. “As passengers we should not be victims of the operator’s mistakes. The Police should have organized alternative means of transport for us,” argued one passenger who had spent over seven hours at the Police station. Benjamin Niyibizi, onatracom representative in Huye district, said they had not received prior warning from the Police . “We were surprised by the decision to impound our buses even though we are aware about the need to undertake periodic check ups,” said Niyibizi. After seven hours of negotiation, onatracom staff reimbursed the stranded passengers their transport fares as they (passengers) sought for alternative transport means. Ends