Midrand Learner Transport Association ready to commit to transporting learners safely this year

The Midrand Learner Transport Association (MLTA) is shaking things up this year by holding drivers to strict rules regarding the safe transportation of learners.

In a bid to ensure car roadworthiness, they first inspected all the cars before handing out MLTA stickers confirming registration with the Gauteng Education Transport Services (Gets).

MLTA vice chairperson Thabo Seletisha said they also checked drivers’ licences and professional driving permits (PDAP).

“We would like to urge parents to verify the car (drivers) that transport their children with us and check if the car indeed belongs to MLTA or other associations. If the car is without the sticker, it means that person is not registered with Gets and the transport department,” said Seletisha.

He said their 2024 goal was to see all our members having enough children in their cars, charging the correct prices, and not overloading vehicles.

Local branch vice chairperson Jerry Matsho said drivers who violate the rules will be punished. “Punishments will differ from monetary fines to the most extreme which is when we remove them from our association and remove our MLTA sticker,” said Matsho.

Last year the association, together with Gets held a roadshow aimed at educating owners, drivers, and parents about transport safety.

Secretary Rita Makhafola said the roadshow made a difference to our members and other associations as it improved their knowledge.
“Drivers and owners recognised the importance of safety on the road. Johannesburg Metro Police Department officials, SAPS And Gets educated them on what is needed on the road when they are carrying kids and it was fruitful,” said Makhafola.

Treasurer Libion Makubela concluded that they were challenged with unregistered motorists transporting kids and endangering them.
Makubela said, “We are trying to educate parents aware of the danger of the cars which are not registered with the associations as they are not known with our mother body, Gets. And when something happens between parents and the drivers, it’s not easy to identify the car because it’s not registered with us.”

He concluded that in such instances parents become scam victims as some of the unregistered cars only collect money from parents and disappear when they have to fetch kids.

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