HOEDSPRUIT – Commuters travelling daily between Bushbuckridge, Acornhoek and Hoedspruit are facing growing transport challenges amid mounting concerns over the financial instability of Great North Transport (GNT).

The worsening situation has prompted renewed calls from the Maruleng Tourism Association and the Democratic Alliance (DA) for urgent intervention to protect workers who depend on public transport to access jobs in Hoedspruit’s tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors.

‘Exploitative’ transport system

In a strongly worded statement, the tourism association described the commuter transport system as “exploitative”, citing escalating transport costs, unsafe travel conditions, and inadequate weekend services as key issues affecting workers from surrounding communities.

According to the association, GNT fare increases over the past two years have placed severe pressure on low-income earners. Consecutive fare hikes in 2024 and 2025, reportedly driven by rising fuel prices and internal financial struggles, have seen transport costs increase by more than 15% to 20% since 2023.

For many workers employed in retail stores, lodges, and farms, the rising fares are becoming increasingly unaffordable.

‘Human cargo’ on open bakkies

The association warned that when buses become unreliable or too expensive, commuters are forced to turn to dangerous alternatives, including overcrowded taxis and open bakkies transporting passengers without adequate safety measures.

“We see it every morning: overcrowded minibus taxis weaving through traffic and, more alarmingly, open bakkies transporting people as human cargo,” the statement read.

The association said these unsafe practices continue to place lives at risk, particularly along the busy R40 route where several fatal commuter accidents have occurred in recent years.

Weekend services fail workers

The group also criticised GNT’s weekend timetable, saying the lack of Sunday services and early Saturday cut-off times fail to meet the needs of a tourism town that operates around the clock.

Workers employed in lodges, restaurants, and security services are often left stranded after shifts, forcing them to pay costly private taxi fares or hitchhike to return home.

GNT owes millions in electricity debt

The transport concerns come as the DA in Limpopo revealed new allegations regarding GNT’s deteriorating financial position.

DA provincial spokesperson for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet), Jacques Smalle, said GNT reportedly owes millions in electricity debt to Polokwane Municipality.

According to Smalle, nearly R9 million of the debt has been overdue for more than 210 days, resulting in the company’s electricity supply allegedly being disconnected in March this year.

He further claimed the debt was not disclosed during GNT’s recent appearance before the Ledet portfolio committee and warned that the entity’s total liabilities may exceed the previously disclosed R50 million.

Calls for intervention

Smalle called on Tshitereke Matibe and provincial treasury officials to intervene urgently, warning that GNT’s collapse could further disrupt commuter services across Limpopo.

Proposed solutions

Meanwhile, the Maruleng Tourism Association has proposed solutions including:

• Subsidised staff shuttle services
• Improved commuter hubs in Hoedspruit
• Increased pressure on GNT to expand weekend operations

What’s at stake

The association warned that continued failure to address the transport crisis could threaten the stability of Hoedspruit’s tourism-driven economy and place further strain on workers who keep the town functioning daily.

We are still awaiting GNT’s comment at the time of publication.