The crackdown on clandestine motorcycle taxis, known as ‘bajajs’, continues in Mahajanga. The municipality has begun implementing the new 2026 TMT (Tricycle Motor Taxi) sticker. The first one hundred TMTs received their new stickers on September 29th. The device features the Mahajanga municipal logo, a baobab tree, and the vehicle’s registration number.
“This sticker certifies that the bajaj is in compliance. It has paid its taxes and is therefore authorized to operate. The driver possesses a valid driver’s license, a certificate of competency issued by driving schools, and the necessary qualifications for the activity. The sticker confirms that the operating permit is authorized. The goal is to distribute 3,250 stickers by the end of the year,” explained the head of the urban transport service.
Only TMTs or bajajs in good standing can obtain the new 2026 sticker. Many tricycles still operate in Mahajanga without stickers or licenses, with over a thousand currently identified. They mainly operate at night and lack both municipal identification numbers and stickers. During the day, they are less numerous and avoid areas with heavy traffic police presence. The municipality is striving to integrate them into the formal sector.
Today, the TMT transport sector in Mahajanga is saturated by the presence of thousands of tricycles. Traffic congestion is significant during peak hours around schools, markets, and especially along the axis from Tanambao Sotema to Mahabibo. Disregard for traffic laws and speeding are among the many infractions committed by drivers who lack both the required competency and a driver’s license.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-06 06:24:01 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/mahajanga-plus-de-trois-mille-bajajs.html