South Africa's Gauteng Hands Over 529 Operating Licences to Public Transport Operators
South Africa's Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has handed over 529 operating licences to public transport operators across the province's five regions, SAnews reported on November 1. The recipients are compliant minibus taxi and other public transport operators, and the move is aimed at strengthening regulatory compliance and improving passenger safety.
The handovers took place over two days at the department's head office and at its Tshwane regional offices in Koedoespoort. Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said the initiative forms part of the provincial government's efforts to improve regulatory oversight, speed up the processing of operating licence applications and address the existing backlog.
Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said the department has started issuing licences to taxi and other public transport operators across the province and will continue with weekly handover programmes reaching different regions of Gauteng, so that every compliant operator receives a licence. She urged operators whose applications are still outstanding to engage directly with the department to verify their application status and regularise their operations.
The provincial government said a fully compliant public transport industry requires cooperation between government and operators: the department is improving application processing and clearing the backlog, while operators must meet regulatory requirements and hold valid operating documentation.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 豪登省道路与交通厅发放运营许可证现场，桌上陈列待发的许可证件。图源：南非政府新闻署 SAnews / Operating licences laid out at the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport handover. Source: SAnews.gov.za
