It cannot be said enough: public transport remains a constant danger for its users. Proof of this occurred yesterday in Ambohidahy, at the exit of the Ralaimongo tunnel, where a ‘taxi-be’ (public minibus) was involved in a fatal accident. Nine pedestrians were in the wrong place at the wrong time, walking peacefully on the sidewalk when the minibus struck them from behind. The exact cause of the accident remains unclear, as initial reports suggesting brake failure have been questioned. Of the nine injured, two succumbed to their injuries at the hospital: a firefighter returning home after his shift and an unidentified woman. Two lives shattered, leaving families devastated.
This tragedy once again exposes the laxity prevailing in the public transport sector—a true ‘law of the jungle.’ It is suspected that the driver lacked proper experience or a valid license, a common issue fueled by corruption where unqualified individuals, including former conductors, take the wheel. The incident highlights the systemic failure where some drivers lack basic driving skills or even physical fitness to operate vehicles.
The same lack of discipline is evident in freight transport, particularly on the RN2 road to Toamasina, where truck drivers frequently ignore traffic laws. Furthermore, the dilapidated state of many public transport vehicles, some over 30 years old, is alarming. Drastic measures are needed: vehicles over 30 years old must be removed from service. Poverty should not be the ‘auto-mobile’ of crime, and the government must prioritize public safety over sentimentality to stop this ongoing carnage.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-09 05:39:20 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/lautomobile-du-crime.html