The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has pledged to strengthen cooperation with scholar transport operators to improve learner safety and ensure compliance with transport regulations across the province.
The commitment follows a meeting with operators held as part of the Learner Transport Education and Awareness Programme (LTEAP), an initiative aimed at promoting regulatory compliance and improving the safety and quality of learner transport services.
The department welcomed the engagement, which focused on educating operators about their legal and operational responsibilities.
“During the session, operators were sensitised to their legal and operational responsibilities, including operating licence requirements, vehicle roadworthiness and responsible driving practices. The department further emphasised the importance of complying with road traffic laws and ensuring that vehicles used to transport learners meet prescribed safety and operational standards,” the department said.
The department added that feedback gathered during the meeting would help inform interventions to address existing challenges and strengthen scholar transport safety.
Operators were also encouraged to work closely with key stakeholders to ensure learners are transported safely and reliably.
“Ensuring the safety of learners remains a shared responsibility. Through responsible driving, regulatory compliance and sustained cooperation among all stakeholders, Gauteng can continue working towards safer and more reliable learner transport services across the province,” the department said.
The engagement comes as South Africa observes Transport Month in October, providing an opportunity to raise awareness of road safety and promote safer, more reliable transport services.
