OMUTHIYA – As thousands of learners return to school this week from the festive holiday, Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) secretary general Pendapala Nakathingo is cautioning long-distance bus drivers to refrain from overloading busses when demand is high.

He said this in an interview with Nampa on Thursday, adding that the association cautioned some drivers of buses that are overloading as they have added extra makeshift seats to make more money, which is a practice that needs to stop as it endangers the lives of all.

“We know that there are a lot of customers this time, but we want them to stick to the allowed number of passengers a vehicle can occupy,” stressed Nakathingo, adding that for them to act, they rely on complaints from customers.

He also advised passengers not to offer more money to drivers, as it is tempting the drivers to ask more from other passengers who do not work, especially learners and students.

Nakathingo, nonetheless, lauded the conduct of bus drivers over the past festive season, as no accidents involving their members were recorded over the period.

“I want to thank our bus drivers for strongly adhering to road safety, as there has not been a single harmful incident that was recorded so far on the roads,” he added. - Nampa