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Latest News
| 16 January 2023 |
MEC LEHARI CONCERNED ABOUT LEARNER TRANSPORT OPERATORS WHO ABANDON ROUTES WITHOUT INFORMING THE DEPARTMENT
The MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari is concerned that some learner transport operators often abandon routes without good reason and without informing the Department. Some of the operators allege that they are owed money by the Department which is often not so. “This is concerning especially that officials have regular interactions with operators to iron out whatever challenges. Yet of the great disappointment is that some of these operators will abandon the routes and run to the media and the parents and claim they are owed money. However our records are that they are paid”, said MEC Lehari. Late last year MEC Lehari called the senior management of the Transport Operations Directorate to prepare for the school opening in January 2023. What came out of the meeting is that some of the operators will sign contracts with the department for a particular number of buses and only to operate with less number. Some of the operators will also not claim accordingly for months worked as per the contract and choose to send one bulk claim for several months. The verification process of this take time therefore leading to delays in payments. In some instances some of the claims will have errors leading to further more delays. When this happens, the operators do not approach the Department and instead engage the media and this at times lead to community to engage in violent protests. “Sadly this dishonest behaviour by some of the operators leads to people believe the alleger instead of the Department. We had challenges before but officials worked through the holidays to pay towards the end of December 2022 and in the first two weeks of January 2023”, said MEC Lehari. One other challenge experienced is that some of the operators use unroadworthy buses to transport learners. Last week several buses were impounded by the law enforcement and several fines issued as well. Pictures of some of these busses are attached. END Scholar Transport Road Safety Next Articles+ |
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