Warning for transport operators in South Africa’s richest province

Non-compliant scholar transport operators in Gauteng have been warned that disruptions and shutdowns will not be tolerated.

More than 500 scholar transport operators gathered at the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport Head Office to voice their concerns about challenges hindering the issuance of operating licences.

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, addressed the operators and their concerns, while highlighting gaps in the application process.

Further engagements underscored the urgency of resolving long-standing licensing issues that have hindered operators from sustaining their operations in the sector.

As part of engagements, and to demonstrate the department’s commitment to strengthening regulations to improve service delivery, more than 1,000 operating licence application forms were issued to aspiring operators.

Each one was also provided with clear information on the process as well as a list of requirements for operating licence applications.

According to the National Land Traffic Act 5 of 2009, any public transport operator must have a valid operating licence, which allows him or her to convey commuters for a fee.

Further requirements include a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP), police clearance certificates, vehicle registration, and a vehicle roadworthiness certificate.

Drivers are required to show recommendation letters from a school with an original signature and a school stamp, carry contact details for learners’ guardians, and insurance, including insurance indemnity cover.

Diale-Tlabela stressed that the department is only willing to work with scholar transport operators who are genuinely interested in regulating their operations.

She added that compliance with the law is not optional.

“Scholar transport is a safety-critical service, and the safety and dignity of our learners remain non-negotiable,” declared the MEC.

A warning for operators

The MEC cautioned public transport operators against disruptions and shutdowns led by non-compliant operators.

“As a provincial government, we will not condone disruptions, shutdowns or intimidation aimed at forcing the department to overlook issues related to non-compliance,” she stated.

“In many cases, resistance to compliance arises because vehicles or documentation do not meet the required standards. The law will be enforced without fear or favour.”

Diale-Tlabela noted that any operator that cannot meet the minimum legal requirements to transport learners safely has no right to operate in the sector.

“Our learners’ lives are not negotiable,” the MEC declared

The Gauteng Roads and Transport Department reiterated that no operator will be permitted to provide scholar transport services unlawfully.

It added that law enforcement operations will continue to intensify across the province to ensure operator compliance and safeguard learners and other road users.

Nationwide law enforcement agencies have adopted a zero-tolerance approach to scholar transport safety.

At the same time, the Department of Transport confirmed that it is close to finalising the review of the National Learner Transport Policy, which aims to tackle issues relating to the access and safety of learner transport.

Parents, guardians, and community members are urged to report any reckless driving or unsafe scholar transport vehicles to the Gauteng Traffic Inspectorate.