New rules, safer transport for school pupils
KwaZulu-Natal transport MEC Willies Mchunu said bakkies transporting children to and from schools were 'ticking time bombs' that should be outlawed.
THE drafting of a new school transport policy has been welcomed by parents worried about their children getting to and from school safely.
According to a report by the Mercury, as published on the IOL website, the policy will mean that any operator wanting to carry pupils would have to apply for a special licence.
The National Scholar Transport Policy, which is in its final draft stage, has been two years in the making. Its aim is to regulate the transport of pupils and to ensure that vehicles contracted to schools are roadworthy.
Key elements of the policy include the branding of all pupil transport vehicles to ensure they are easily identifiable, operators having the correct vehicle licences, and drivers to be be licensed and registered with the provincial regulatory entity.
