…Ministry, NRTC, REPS, ENFERS, ACC join forces in fight against public ill-treatment by transport operators
…Public can now immediately report overloading, speeding and unsafe vehicles among other issues
BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – Government has rolled out the BIKA Platform, an integrated real-time national reporting system designed to give members of the public a direct channel to report corruption, abuse and other problems related to the use or experienced while in use of public transport.
The National Road Transport Council (NRTC) Chairperson Sabelo Dlamini announced the rollout, saying the initiative was being implemented through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport in collaboration with the NRTC, Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), Eswatini National Fire and Emergency Response Service (ENFERS) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Dlamini described BIKA as an official integrated real-time reporting platform for the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The platform allows citizens to report incidents involving public and freight transport, including speeding kombis, overloading, fare overcharging, bus rank congestion, unsafe vehicles and driver conduct.
It also provides an avenue for members of the public to commend outstanding drivers and report service-related concerns.
The rollout places technology at the centre of efforts to improve accountability in public transport, allowing reports to be submitted electronically and tracked through a reference number.
According to information on the BIKA platform, once a report has been submitted, it appears on the user’s device for one-tap tracking, while existing cases can be followed using a BIKA reference ID.
The system also provides an option for citizens to report incidents without creating an account, with an anonymous reporting mode available.
This means that members of the public can raise concerns about transport operators and other incidents without having to go through lengthy reporting procedures.
The platform covers several categories within the transport sector, including kombis and buses, taxis and hired vehicles, bus ranks and stops, as well as freight trucks.
Of particular significance is the involvement of the ACC, which gives the platform an anti-corruption dimension.
The BIKA system provides for confidential reporting of issues such as extortion, rank bribery and official corruption, linking such reports to the relevant oversight structures.
The platform lists the ACC’s anti-corruption hotline as 800-8000, while also providing access to emergency services for incidents requiring immediate intervention.
REPS is incorporated into the system for traffic and crime prevention, road safety, overloading and law enforcement matters.
ENFERS is responsible for emergency extraction, fire rescue and hazardous-material incidents.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is identified as the government authority responsible for transport policy and public infrastructure, while the NRTC is responsible for public transport regulatory functions, including kombi, bus and freight permitting and oversight.
The integrated approach means that a report made by a member of the public can potentially be directed to the institution responsible for dealing with that particular issue.
The platform also contains a nationwide directory of emergency and public assistance numbers.
These include 999 for police emergency response, 933 for fire and rescue services and 977 for national ambulance and medical dispatch.
The NRTC is listed with its office number, +268 2404 2321, for operator licensing, route permit verification and rank marshal logistics oversight.
BIKA’s rollout comes as the transport sector continues to require stronger mechanisms for monitoring compliance, protecting passengers and ensuring that public transport operators adhere to established rules.
By allowing citizens to report problems as they occur, the system creates an additional channel through which authorities can receive information from people directly experiencing transport services.
The platform’s message – “BIKA – See something, say something” – reflects its emphasis on public participation in monitoring services and reporting incidents.
The initiative extends beyond complaints, however, with the platform also allowing citizens to commend good service and rate the quality of services they receive.
This creates a two-way reporting mechanism in which members of the public can flag misconduct while also recognising responsible service providers.
The BIKA platform currently identifies itself as an official national reporting initiative involving the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, NRTC, REPS and fire and emergency services.
Its stated objective is to provide an integrated real-time mechanism for incident, transport and trade reporting across the Kingdom.
For the transport sector, the rollout introduces a centralised digital avenue for reporting problems ranging from unsafe driving and overloading to suspected bribery and poor service.
The initiative therefore places citizens closer to the reporting and oversight process, while giving participating authorities a common platform through which public complaints and incidents can be received and tracked.
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