NTA Says Student Within Her Rights, Bus Company Agrees

In the letter, a University of Mauritius student explained how she was mistreated by a conductor of a ‘Perle de la Savanne’ bus on October 31 despite being within her rights to travel free of charge up to her destination, Mahebourg.

Anbanaden Nagamootoo, chief road transport inspector at the National Transport Authority, has now referred the case to the senior inspector for the Grand Port region following this.

He explained the consequent procedures and said that an inquiry was now open. He deplored the attitude of the said bus conductor and said “such behaviour is unacceptable.”

He also pointed out that the student was well within her rights to take this bus as it is on her way home; something which the director of “Perle de la Savanne” Rabin Jugurnauth agrees to.

Contacted on Monday, Jugurnauth said that he will not tolerate such behaviour and that disciplinary actions will be taken against the conductor.

He also said that he has always instructed his staff to avoid creating situations which generate problems which would require them to face a disciplinary board.

The director of the bus company also apologised for the incident and added that “bad apples that spoil the lot are unfortunately present in all institutions”.

Jugurnauth now intends to take disciplinary actions against the errant conductor in question who risks 20 days’ suspension without pay, although he anticipates hearing excuses from him.

The NTA will now call both parties before a disciplinary board where it will be determined which sanctions will be taken against the bus company.