Scholar bus transport operators resolved to extend the suspension of services into Monday in a feedback meeting held in the Rio Rooms at Carnival City on February 6.

This follows the overwhelming rejection of a proposal made by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE).

The meeting was attended by a strong-reaching membership of the Gauteng Small Bus Operators Council (Gasboc), confirming a clear and unified mandate to continue the suspension until the GDE meaningfully addresses outstanding payments.

“This decision followed the first and only engagement between the Gasboc and the GDE, held on February 5.

“During that meeting, the department tabled an offer which operators unanimously described as unreasonable, disrespectful, unworkable and failing to address the core issue of non-payment for services already rendered,” reads a statement issued by the council.

“This was not an emotional or reckless decision. Our members carefully assessed what was presented and found it impossible to implement without compromising operational viability and, ultimately, scholar safety,” said Gasboc secretary, Paul Zikhali.

Zikhali reiterated that the suspension was not a strike, but a direct consequence of three months of non-payment by the GDE, placing the department in breach of its contractual obligations.

Scholar transport operators in Gauteng are paid strictly according to the number of school days worked, under a pay-as-you-go model. If an operator transports learners for eight school days, payment is due only for those eight days.

“The sustained failure to pay has had severe consequences for the maintenance and daily operation of scholar transport vehicles.

“This means operators are struggling to meet essential costs, such as fuel, routine and emergency maintenance, tyres, insurance, license renewals, staff wages and day-to-day administrative expenses,” he said.

These costs are fundamental to ensuring vehicles remain safe, roadworthy and compliant. The Gasboc rejected the narrative that its members are irresponsible or that their vehicles are unroadworthy.

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Scholar transport vehicles in Gauteng are subject to rigorous regulatory requirements, including roadworthiness certification, valid operating permits and compliance discs.

These discs are permits issued by the relevant Gauteng government units, including processes linked to the GDE, only after operators satisfy all prescribed inspections and compliance standards.

“It is misleading to question the legality and roadworthiness of vehicles that have been certified by the government itself. No operator can legally transport scholars without first meeting these requirements, and our members comply because the safety of children is non-negotiable,” Zikhali said.

At the same time, the Gasboc urged the government to stop stalling on issuing operating permits to legitimate applicants. These delays further undermine planning, sustainability and service stability in the sector, according to the Gasboc.

Another point of contention is the government’s practice of issuing only a scholar transport permit, instead of also granting a charter operating licence that allows the holder to transport any organised group within the zone specified in the permit.

This limits operators from other income opportunities.

The Gasboc remains concerned about the broader social impact of the suspension of scholar transport, which affects learner safety, access to education and the well-being of children who rely on school nutrition programmes daily.