By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is appealing to operators who have applied for operating licences, particularly minibus and scholar transport operators, to collect their operating licences.
The department said more than 400 valid operating licences remain uncollected despite significant progress in reducing backlogs and improving internal processes to speed up the issuing of licences.
Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said failure to act within the stipulated period may result in the cancellation of the issued operating licence, requiring operators to restart the process in accordance with applicable legislation.
The department said operators who have received SMS notifications or communication through their associations have until midway through next month to collect their operating licences.
According to the department, more than 2,000 valid operating licences have been handed over to compliant minibus taxi and scholar transport operators during this period.
Diale-Tlabela reiterated that the department remains committed to contributing to regulatory compliance and facilitating a more efficient, transparent and responsive public transport system.
She said that the department has issued more than two thousand operating licences since November last year, as part of efforts to clear the backlog and improve compliance across the province.
The ongoing initiative forms part of the department’s commitment to improving regulatory compliance, enhancing service delivery, and supporting a safe, reliable, and efficient public transport system across Gauteng.
Diale-Tlabela also said North West Transport Investment’s (NTI) buses are non-compliant and lack operating permits. She said promises made to the community that buses would be available by 1 July were lies.
She said her department will introduce an interim bus service for Hammanskraal and surrounding communities next week following NTI’s failure to honour its contract.
The MEC said more than 300 000 monthly commuters had been left stranded despite NTI receiving a R54 million government subsidy. The department plans to appoint a temporary operator while NTI addresses its operational and financial difficulties.
NTI’s troubles extend beyond Gauteng. The company also receives subsidies from the North West provincial government and remains under business rescue.