Western Cape Scholar Transport Board wants more regulation in sector
Board chairperson, Denver van Aarde, said that this would help avoid situations where unvetted and unlicensed drivers transport children to and from school.
Western Cape traffic officials check scholar transport vehicles on 18 January 2024. Picture: @ricardomackenzi/X
CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape Scholar Transport Board wants more regulation in the sector.
Board chairperson, Denver van Aarde, said that this would help avoid situations where unvetted and unlicensed drivers transport children to and from school.
In recent years, there've been several accidents involving informal scholar transport vehicles, resulting in the deaths of learners.
Van Aarde said that regulating and formalising the industry would be in children's best interest.
For now, he's pleading with parents to ensure the person driving their child to and from school, is compliant.
"There are a lot of drivers that just jump onto this bandwagon and start a small business wanting to drive scholars and they have no idea what is going on in the industry and that is a big concern for us. We don't have control over who comes into the industry, what type of drivers we have, do we have a paedophile, do we have a murderer, do we have a rapist that is driving? That is why it is very important for us to regulate and formalise this industry for the safety of our children."
The issue is top of mind as parents plan for the new school year, but the warning signs are clear.
In October, a minibus taxi overloaded with at least 29 school children, overturned in Mitchells Plain.
A 16-year-old girl was killed and the 25-year-old driver was arrested and charged with culpable homicide.