Overcrowding on school buses in Mamelodi is creating safety concerns for thousands of learners who rely on free transport to get to school.

Parents and community organisations say an influx of learners on approved routes, together with unresolved payment and vehicle-condition issues, has left children squeezed into unsafe, overloaded buses or stranded when buses fail to run.

Bus services were paused at the start of the year after service providers stopped operating amid unpaid invoices dating back to November. Although payments have reportedly been resolved and buses have returned to service, many vehicles are now dangerously full.

Some learners are forced to stand on bus steps with doors open to reach school.

A parent, Catherine Ngobeni, said the return of transport was welcomed, but overcrowding threatens children’s safety.

“We were happy the non-payment issue was resolved and our children could attend school. However, they are complaining that the buses are overcrowded and they are forced to squeeze in. The safety of our children comes first – it is not safe to board an overcrowded bus,” she said.

Many families are unemployed and depend on free transport. Ngobeni urged the education department to provide additional buses so that children are not left behind.

Kagiso Sindane of Mamelodi Congress of South African Students (COSAS) criticised both service providers and authorities.

Some buses are unroadworthy and unbranded, Sindane added.

“The service providers are to be blamed for transporting learners in unroadworthy buses without regard for safety,” he said.

He called for roadworthy vehicles and more capacity.

Community leader Johannes Makola said Mountain View in Pienaarspoort has only one school bus expected to carry hundreds of children daily, resulting in persistent overcrowding. He warned that recent heavy rains have damaged local roads, compounding the problem and making it harder for drivers to reach pick-up points.

Sphiwe Khoza of Ward 100 said the area’s rapid growth, including families relocated from the Mamelodi informal settlement to Merogong Ext 15, has increased demand for transport to the new Donkerhoek Primary School.

Parents report that, while the school awaits additional buses from the department, some have turned to private transport providers after children were repeatedly left behind. Drivers, in turn, have altered pick-up points and routes to cope with the overcrowding.

Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed the department is aware of the situation.

He acknowledged increased learner numbers on approved routes following admissions – and, in some cases, the presence of unauthorised learners on buses – have placed strain on services.

Mabona noted that unauthorised learners should not be transported and said the department will continue to monitor the situation.

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