Scholar transport once again in the spotlight as driver in M/Plain overloads taxi whilst allegedly being drunk

As learners settle in for the first week of school, Provincial and Local authorities are ensuring that scholar transport are compliant.

For the past two days, Mobility MEC, Ricardo Mackenzie, and MMC for Safety & Security, JP Smith, alongside traffic officials, conducted operations in Firgrove, as well as Rocklands and Tafelsig, in Mitchell’s Plain to check operating licences and vehicle and driver fitness.

‘’There are strict requirements for transporting learners. To ensure that children are safe while travelling to school, transport operators must comply with these requirements. It is also important for parents and schools to understand the requirements and immediately report any concerns about unsafe or illegal transport operators,’’ said Ricardo Mackenzie, Mobility MEC.

‘’The operator must have a valid operating licence for providing Learner Transport services and the driver must have a valid driving licence and professional driving permit (PrDP). Only vehicles that comply with legislated safety standards and were manufactured after 1 September 2006 (except for the 2005 Toyota Quantum) may be used. Learners may not be transported on the back of a bakkie or light delivery vehicle,’’ added Mackenzie.

PHOTO: X - @ricardomackenzi

During the 2023/2024 financial year, Provincial Traffic Officers conducted 314 operations targeting scholar transport, stopping and checking 13 282 vehicles, and issuing R3.5 million worth of fines.

During the same period, City officials conducted 61 operations focusing on scholar transport across the metro. Of these, 238 vehicles were impounded and 5 407 fines issued for a range of transgressions.

Worryingly, a driver was arrested on Wednesday morning for allegedly transporting learners whilst being intoxicated. It was further revealed that he overloaded the taxi. According to reports, the driver was transporting 23 learners aged between 10 and 15.

Officials also impounded about nineteen vehicles, during an operation in the vicinity of two schools in the Mitchells Plain area, on Wednesday morning.

COURTESY: X- @CityOfCT

MMC for Safety & Security, JP Smith, says a key challenge remains the number of drivers transporting children without the necessary permits and qualifications.

‘’Providing a service without the necessary operating licence is one thing, but even more scary and disconcerting is the number of people who get behind the wheel without a professional driving permit, or even a driving licence. It is absolutely mind-boggling, and speaks to a complete disregard for the young lives in their care. Add overloaded and unroadworthy vehicles to the mix, and you have a recipe for potential disaster.’’

‘’The situation is compounded by the fact that there is such a high demand for scholar transport, coupled with a lack of understanding of the law, which allows unscrupulous operators to fly beneath the radar, until they're involved in a collision, or are caught by our traffic officers. My appeal to the public in 2024, is to familiarise themselves with the requirements for scholar transport operators, and to report anyone who is not operating legally, for the sake of our children,’’ added Smith.

 

He urged parents and caregivers to request the credentials of their service providers, to check that the vehicle complies with the specifications set out, and to report any transgressions to the Provincial Regulatory Entity at the Shadow Centre in Athlone.

Mackenzie urged drivers who want to apply for scholar transport, to get their applications for operating licences.

‘’In 2023, the Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) approved over 1,500 applications for operating licences to transport learners. Our mission is to improve mobility in the Western Cape, and our teams work extremely hard to create an enabling environment for industry, while ensuring safe and reliable transport for commuters. ‘’

 ‘’Our officials are available to assist any operators with applications or compliance guidelines. The PRE can be contacted on 021 483 0270, enquiries.wcpre@westerncape.gov.za or in person at the Vangate Shared Service Centre in Athlone (office hours: 07h30 to 16h00).’’ 

 

Done By: Mitchum George