Pretoria:The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has issued 529 operating licenses to public transport operators across the province's five regions. This initiative aims to enhance regulatory compliance and improve passenger safety within the public transport sector.
According to South African Government News Agency, the handover of licenses was conducted over two days at the Department's head office and Tshwane Regional offices in Koedoespoort. These licenses benefit compliant minibus taxi and other public transport operators.
The Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, stated that this effort is part of the government's strategy to improve regulatory oversight, expedite the processing of operating license applications, and tackle the existing backlog. She emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring that public transport operators conduct their businesses legally.
The MEC encouraged operators with outstanding applications to engage with the department to verify their application status and regularize their operations. She appealed to taxi operators not yet operating legally to visit the department's offices to apply for licenses or check their application status. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure legal compliance within the public transport industry.
The Department highlighted the need for cooperation between the government and operators to achieve a fully compliant transport industry. While efforts are being made to improve application processing and address the backlog, operators are also required to meet regulatory requirements and hold valid operating documentation.
The MEC reiterated the Department's commitment to assisting every compliant operator in obtaining their operating license.