The Police Inspector of Vehicles has issued a checklist of 45 standard items a 14-seater passenger service van (PSV) has to have before it is considered to be roadworthy.
The 45-point checklist is in the traffic police inspection Form III defect report that each PSV must tick to be allowed on the road in the campaign to get rid of commuter vans in dangerous mechanical condition in the public transport industry.
According to the police form, the inspectors observe six categories on the taxi, including the exterior components of the vehicle, underhood and undercarriage of the vehicle, test requirements for the PSV, interior components of the vehicle, lights and electrical systems, and tyres and wheels.
In the six categories are the 45 items that each taxi has to comply with.
Operation against DMCs
Last month, the minister of Works and Transport, Mr Fred Byamukama, declared a 100-day operation targeting taxis in dangerous mechanical condition (DMC) in the Kampala Metropolitan Area. The operation started last Monday.
During the first week of the operation against DMCs, Mr Rashid Ssekindi, the chairperson of the Uganda Taxi Operators Federation (Utof), said several taxi operators complained that they did not know the benchmarks that the police were using to declare their vehicles DMCs.
Some drivers complained that their taxis had been impounded for minor issues like faulty wipers and washers.
Taxis that were impounded last week were subjected to visual inspection by the police officers, and the taxi operator of each impounded taxi was charged Shs62,000.
However, the impounded taxis were later released, and the owners were allowed to fix the identified problems. Those taxis are supposed to be returned to the police vehicle inspector once the problems are fixed for another verification inspection.
The taxis, like all other vehicles, are also supposed to undergo a mandatory technological inspection annually. The Ministry of Works and Transport has yet to roll out the mandatory inspection across the country.
SOME Must-have items
•Windshield, wipers and washers
•Windows, doors, mirrors
•Bumpers and fenders
•Engine oil level and leaks
•Brake fluid
•Battery condition and connections
•Belts and hoses
•Exhaust system and leakages
•Internal frame condition
•Fuel system
•Brake master cylinder/valves/connections
•Fire extinguisher
•First aid kit
•Passenger seats
•Passenger safety belts
•Emergency door markings
•Taxi rooftop signage
•Chequered band (blue and white)
•Ventilation
•Internal illumination (no tint)
•Warning triangle and reflector
•Dashboard warning lights/instruments
•Speedometer
•Service brake operation and pedal
•Parking brake lever/button
•Steering wheel play
•Horn
•Headlights (high/low beam)
•Indicators, brake lights, reverse lights
•Parking lights, hazard lights
•Number plate light
•Interior dome lights
•Electrical system connections
•Tyres and wheels
•Tyre tread depth
•Tyre condition
•Wheel nuts/bolts, wheel rims
•Spare wheel, jack and tools
