Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has urged public transport operators to comply with road regulations during the festive season, especially when undertaking interprovincial trips.
She said adherence to licensing requirements would go a long way in reducing illegal trips and prevent the impounding of vehicles by law enforcement agencies.
Diale-Tlabela made the plea during her visit to the Tshwane Transport Operating License Administrative Bodies (TOLAB) in Pretoria Central.
The TOLAB serves as a one-stop service centre for public transport licensing services in Tshwane with its primary functions including receiving applications for road transport operating licenses, processing them and awarding licenses to qualified applicants.
Her visit coincided with the deadline for public transport operators to apply for special permits.
Diale-Tlabela conducted a walkabout at the centre, monitoring the services provided to public transport operators and creating awareness about road safety.
She also expressed appreciation and support for the staff members who work diligently on a daily basis to ensure the smooth operation of the department.
She urged public transport operators, particularly the minibus taxi industry, to ensure compliance with regulations.
“We would like to say to the minibus taxi industry in our province that we know that there are challenges in different municipalities but just to clarify the impoundment on our side is on all cars that are unroadworthy as well as those that are operating without proper licensing,” she said.
She said vehicles with old operating licenses and receipts showing renewal are permitted to operate on provincial roads during this period while new operators without prior licenses are not allowed to offer services.
During her visit she interacted with taxi and bus operators who came to either collect or check on the status of their applications at the centre.
She used the opportunity to promote safer roads during the festive period and pleaded with public transport operators to adhere to road safety rules.
Her call was made in the light of the recent surge in a criminal trend known as spiking, where sharp objects are placed on roads to damage vehicle tires and leave drivers vulnerable to attacks.
“Let us note that road safety is a shared responsibility, therefore let us all work together to prevent road accidents, injuries and fatalities during this period,” she said.
Pretoria News