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1. OVERVIEW

The National Transport Authority is a department operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport. It was set up on 14 November 1980 and as from that date it took over the responsibilities of the then Road Traffic Licensing Authority. The head office of NTA is presently housed at the MSI Building, Royal Road , Cassis.

A sub office of the NTA became operational in Rodrigues in January 1993. To that effect the Rodrigues Road Traffic Regulations were repealed and replaced by the Road Traffic Act. The sub-office is located at Baie des Lascars, Port Mathurin.

2. ROLE

The NTA is the regulatory body for implementing government policies and decisions relating to road transport. It has to ensure that a satisfactory level of transport is provided for both passenger and goods in order to sustain the social and economic activities of the country. As well, it makes proposals to the parent Ministry on matters concerning improvement in transport as a whole and on legislation governing vehicle licensing and operation.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES

The NTA, as a service-oriented department, is responsible for:

• Registration and Transfer of ownership of motor vehicles
• Licensing of motor vehicles
• Collection of road tax and other licence fees
• Examination of motor vehicles as to their roadworthiness
• Licensing of bus conductors
• Enforcement of road transport legislation and monitoring the level of public transport
• Control of paid parking zones
• Keeping statistics relating to motor vehicles
• Planning of new services

4. THE CHANGES AHEAD

4.1 Computerisation

The records at the NTA are in the process of being computerized. In that context, entries relating to over 250,000 vehicles are being captured. Once the system becomes live the retrieving of information on these vehicles will be considerably eased. The time taken for effecting registration and transfers of vehicles will be minimized. Subsequently, the licensing of vehicles and payment of MVL will also be performed electronically. In addition, the Police Department will be linked to the network to enable it to obtain readily information on vehicle ownership.

4.2 Taking Over of Registration from Registrar General Department

The Road Traffic Act has already been amended to provide for the shifting of responsibilities relating to the registration of deeds of sales of vehicles from the Registrar General's Department. This shifting will enable the NTA to perform as a 'one-stop' for all matters concerning registration and transfer of ownership of vehicles and members of the public will then not have to spend days running between the NTA office and the Registrar General's Department.

4.3 Queuing System

The National Transport Authority has a customer base of about 600,000 persons per year. Within the reforms government proposes to bring in counter services, the NTA, with the assistance of the Ministry of Civil Service Affairs, is introducing an "Automatic Queuing System" to improve public convenience and reduce stress on the cashiers. This system will be the first of its kind in the civil service and will operate in conjunction with the computerization project. As every counter will then be offering all the services which the public may require, the queuing system will enable those needing services to secure a ticket and to wait comfortably before being attended to. This will improve the interface between the cashier and the public.

4.4 Payment of MVL

The First Schedule to the Road Traffic Act provides for motor vehicle taxation to be paid for periods of three and twelve months only. Consideration is being given to the spreading of the peak end of month demand to relieve undue pressure on the office and unnecessary inconvenience in terms of delay to members of the public. Provisions will also be made to enable the payment of motor vehicle licence for period of six months instead of 3 months and 12 months only.


4.5 Privatisation of Examination Centres

Much criticisms have been levelled on the manner vehicle examination has up to now been carried out. To improve things, Government has, since 1995, decided to privatise the two centres with a view to upgrading the examination of motor vehicles. The privatisation project is being given due attention and tender documents are being finalised.

4.6 Traffic Wardens

Traffic Wardens have proved their effectiveness in dealing with the parking problems. It is proposed to provide them with wheel clamping devices to step up enforcement on inconsiderate parkings. Provisions have also been made in the existing legislation for traffic wardens to be empowered to stop motor vehicles for checking purposes. This will enable traffic wardens to work in conjunction with the inspectorate to track down any offender. Provisions of the Road Traffic (Paid Parking) Regulations 1993 are being reviewed to plug certain loopholes and a new piece of legislation, viz the Road Traffic (Parking Offences) Regulations will be introduced to ease enforcement procedures.

4.7 Control of Smoke Emission

In line with the recommendations of the SEMES Report on control of vehicle emission, the legislation setting standards for smoke and noise levels is being finalised. A special unit consisting of motor vehicle examiners, road transport inspectors and the Police will be created to carry out spot checks on motor vehicles. This motorized unit will be provided with the latest equipment for verifying the level of exhaust emission.

4.8 Inspectorate

Two squad units 4 road transport inspectors were constituted in September 2000 to track down the unlawful operation of private vehicles and to ensure a better control over the overall state of motor vehicles. To date, 2416 contraventions have been established following checks carried out in different regions of the island.

It is proposed to strengthen those units with the assistance of the Police and to step up checks to ensure better compliance with the provisions of the Act.

Download:

Road tax payable in respect of motor vehicles as from 01 July 2008 
 

Bus Timetable - The Official Guide for Public Bus Transport Services