Road Traffic Act, 1961

PART VII.

Control and Operation of Public Service Vehicles.

Regulations in relation to control and operation of public service vehicles.

82.—(1) The Minister may make regulations in relation to the control and operation of public service vehicles.

(2) Regulations under this section may, in particular and without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, make provision in relation to all or any of the following matters:

(a) the licensing of public service vehicles;

(b) the licensing of drivers and conductors of public service vehicles;

(c) the payment of specified fees in respect of licences, badges or plates granted under the regulations and the disposition of such fees;

(d) the conduct and duties of drivers and conductors of public service vehicles and of their employers;

(e) the conduct and duties of passengers and intending passengers in public service vehicles;

(f) the conditions (including the use of taximeters) subject to which vehicles may be operated as public service vehicles;

(g) the keeping of specified records and the issue of specified certificates and the specifying of the persons by whom such certificates are to be issued;

(h) the authorising of the fixing of maximum fares for street service vehicles;

(i) matters related to the transition from the repealed Act to the regulations under this section.

(3) Different regulations may be made under this section—

(a) in respect of different classes of vehicles,

(b) for different circumstances and for different areas.

(4) A certificate purporting to be issued pursuant to regulations under this section that on a specified day a specified fare was the maximum fare fixed for street service vehicles in a specified area shall, without proof of the signature of the person purporting to sign it or that he was the proper person to issue it, be evidence in any legal proceedings until the contrary is shown of the matters certified therein.

(5) A certificate purporting to be issued pursuant to regulations under this section that a specified person was on a specified day the holder of a licence under the regulations or that on a specified day a licence under the regulations was in force in respect of a specified vehicle shall, without proof of the signature of the person purporting to sign it or that he was the proper person to issue it, be evidence in any legal proceedings until the contrary is shown of the matters certified therein.

(6) A person who contravenes a regulation under this section which is declared to be a penal regulation and, in such cases involving a vehicle as may be prescribed and where such person is not the owner of the vehicle, such owner shall each be guilty of an offence.

(7) In a prosecution for an offence under this section in which a licence under regulations under this section is material, it shall be presumed, until the contrary is shown by the defendant, that at the material time, such a licence, then having effect, was not held.

(8) Where a mechanically propelled vehicle is used for the carriage of eight or more persons who are not in the employment of the owner of the vehicle, they shall, until the contrary is shown, be deemed to be carried in the vehicle for reward.