The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) has engaged scholar transport operators across the province to tighten regulatory compliance and protect pupils.

The engagement formed part of the department’s Learner Transport Education and Awareness Programme (LTEAP), which aims to promote responsible operations and enhance learner transport services.

This initiative comes in response to growing concerns over learner transport safety and incidents in the province.

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Through education, enforcement and stakeholder collaboration, the programme seeks to address operational challenges and promote a safe, reliable, compliant and well-regulated learner transport system.

During the session, officials briefed operators on their legal and operational duties, including operating licence rules, vehicle roadworthiness and responsible driving.

The department also stressed that vehicles carrying pupils must comply strictly with road traffic legislation and meet all prescribed safety standards.

Officials highlighted the Gauteng Public Transport Regulatory Information System (GPTRIS) as a key tool to streamline licensing and regulation.

Through GPTRIS, scholar transport operators will benefit from improved access to licensing information and more efficient application processes, enabling them to monitor their applications and address compliance requirements.

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Transport authorities stressed that effective management depends on close co-operation among operators, parents, schools, taxi associations, law enforcement and government departments

The session provided operators with an opportunity to raise concerns, seek clarity on regulatory requirements and discuss challenges affecting their operations.

A departmental statement confirmed that feedback gathered during the session will shape follow-up interventions across the province.

The LTEAP will roll out through a structured roadshow across all five regions of Gauteng, providing consistent education and guidance to operators and schools.

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“The initiative forms part of Gauteng’s broader road safety strategy and adopts the Safe System Approach, which promotes shared responsibility for preventing road crashes and serious injuries,” said the department’s head of communications, Melitah Madiba.

“The department calls on all scholar transport operators to work closely with the department and its partners to comply with applicable legislation and the prescribed standards for transporting learners,” said Madiba.

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.