Technically speaking, 4PAM President Ajit Johl said in a statement all ride share apps were still illegal until regulations were enforced and operators complied.

“Despite being instructed to do so by the Cabinet, SPAD has failed to come up with details on regulations.”

4PAM also wants a Public Transport Tribunal. “This will ensure there’s transparency and public transport user’s rights are protected.”

The tribunal would allow public transport users to take up issues – protection and compensation – against operators, he argued. “The financial services industry has a similar tribunal and they have fewer users than public transport.”

Johl urged the prime minister to create the tribunal immediately. “We believe this will increase usage of public transport facilities,” he added.

Recent incidents were raising great concern among users of public transport, he continued. “Incidents of burning buses, collision, accidents, and break downs in the public transport industry, are reasons enough for users to raise questions on safety and security”.

SPAD has yet to release the findings on previous incidents, charged the 4PAM Chief. “Public transport is funded by the Government through taxes, hence the people have a right to the findings.”

If the Government was serious about the billions spent on public transport, 4PAM said, public transport companies must be made answerable and handed heavier punishments, besides suspensions.

Many other industries were already doing it, pointed out 4PAM.