Gauteng scholar transport resumes as MEC pushes compliance crackdown

Scholar transport services in Gauteng are resuming, with authorities confirming that operators are back on the road following engagements with the provincial government.

Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said discussions with private scholar transport operators focused on bringing the largely informal sector into compliance while ensuring pupils’ safety.

Private operators return after talks with the government

The MEC clarified that the recent disruptions mainly involved private scholar transport operators, not those contracted by the Gauteng Department of Education.

“These are private operators who have agreements with parents to transport children from home to school,” she said.

The meeting aimed to address widespread non-compliance after the province found that many operators were running without the required permits.

Officials estimate that while about 15,000 operators may be active across Gauteng, fewer than 1,500 have applied for operating licences.

Diale-Tlabela said the province has issued several hundred licences so far, with more still being processed.

“At the centre of it all, many were not aware that they should have an operating licence before they operate,” she said.

Safety checks and documentation are now a priority

The MEC acknowledged that both government and operators had neglected compliance in the past, noting that scholar transport has often been treated as an informal family business.

“I think arguably most of us grew up seeing this as a business operated by grandparents, and there has not been enough effort to conscientize them that they are public transport operators,” she said.

Authorities are now prioritising:

• operating licences
• roadworthiness tests

• police clearance certificates
• insurance compliance

Diale-Tlabela said roadworthiness would be non-negotiable.

“What we don’t want are unroadworthy vehicles. We cannot compromise the safety of children,” she added.

The province has partnered with vehicle testing stations to help operators fast-track compliance, with many already requesting assistance to book inspections.

Government considering long-term reform of school transport

The MEC said calls for the government to take over scholar transport fully raise broader planning challenges.

One issue is that many pupils travel long distances to schools outside their communities, complicating transport planning.

“We are unable even to start proper transport planning because in most cases, education does not have data on where children are travelling from and to,” she said.

She also pointed to the need to rebuild confidence in township schools, arguing that many are underutilised despite offering quality education.

“As a society, we need to start investing in schools where we live and build confidence that township schools are also very good schools,” she said.

Crime concerns extend to all transport operators

Diale-Tlabela also raised concerns about the safety of public transport operators following the killing of an e-hailing driver.

She said crime in the sector affects both safety and the economy.

“This has an impact on our economy. People are worried about their safety, and that affects how we live and work,” she said.

Authorities are looking into measures such as panic buttons and onboard cameras to help improve safety.

For more details, listen to Diale-Tlabela using the audio player below: