#BacktoSchool: Sharp focus on scholar transport operators

CAPE TOWN - With the focus on ‘back to school’ this week, the City of Cape Town has urged scholar transport operators to brush up on regulations and ensure that their vehicles are fit for purpose, not just for the sake of their young passengers, but road safety in general. 

According to the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith cautioned that just like public transport operators, scholar transport service providers are required, by law, to obtain an operating licence from the Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE).

"The City's role is to monitor for compliance, but also to enforce road safety legislation," he said.

According to Smith, during the 2024 academic year, the Transport Enforcement Unit conducted 72 operations focusing specifically on scholar transport across the metropole, issued 6 226 fines for various transgressions and impounded 246 vehicles, including light delivery vehicles, sedans, amaphelas and minibuses – in most of the cases, drivers did not have operating licences

"I want to thank the operators who abide by the law and put their passengers' needs and safety first. That said, we are well aware that many people take to the road, transporting far more children than the law allows, in vehicles that really aren't up for it. Many of these people do not even have driving licences, much less operating licences. We take action where we can, but I also ask that parents be far more circumspect in their choice of transport providers. When you sign up, insist on meeting the driver, seeing their credentials and also the vehicle that your child will be traveling in, for your own peace of mind, but also to help keep operators in the right lane," said Smith.