Section 76A: Stage bus and taxi licences

76A. Stage bus and taxi licences (1) Where the Authority considers that there is need to grant a stage bus licence or a taxi licence along any route or in any area, as the case may be, it shall cause a notice to be published in the Gazette and 2 daily newspapers inviting any person wishing to apply for a licence to submit an application in the prescribed manner. (2) Before deciding on the need to grant a stage bus licence or a taxi licence, the Authority shall have regard to— (a) in the case of a stage bus licence— (i) the suitability of the routes on which a service is to be provided under the licence; R (A2) – 3 [Issue 1] Road Traffic (Amendment No. 2) Act 2003 (ii) the extent to which a route or area in respect of which the invitation is made is already served by road transport; (iii) the extent to which road transport might be adversely affected and any representations which may be made in that behalf; (iv) the extent to which the proposed service is necessary or desirable in the public interest; (b) in the case of a taxi licence, the needs and interests of the public generally, including those of persons requiring a taxi service, as well as those providing facilities for the conveyance of passengers. (3) Where the application is in order, the Authority shall cause a notice of the application to be published in— (a) the Gazette and 2 daily newspapers; and (b) such other manner as the Authority thinks fit, not less than 14 days before the public sitting at which the application is heard. (4) Notice of objections or other representations from— (a) persons already providing transport facilities along or near to the routes or in the area or any part of the area of which the application is made; or (b) any local authority in whose area the services or any part thereof are to be provided; (c) any member of the public within the area, stating the grounds on which they desire to object or make representations, shall be given in writing in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed. (5) The Authority shall take into consideration any objections or other representations which may be made by— (a) persons who are already providing transport facilities, whether by means of road transport, or any other kind of transport along or near to the routes or in the area or any part of the area of which the application is made; (b) any local authority in whose area the services or any part thereof are to be provided; (c) any member of the public within the area. (6) The onus of proving that there are grounds for an objection shall lie on the objector. [Issue 1] R (A2) – 4 Revised Laws of Mauritius (7) The Minister may, either of his own motion or at the request of any person interested or affected, at any time by regulations lay down or vary fixed rates and fares for any service on any route or in any area, or fix or vary the maximum or minimum rates and fares for any service.