Tour operator licence renewal backlog is being addressed

THE Department of Transport has assured stakeholders in the tourism industry that it is racing against time to process all operating licenses.

This follows delays caused mainly by the pandemic, which led to capacity challenges within the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR), resulting in a backlog in processing operating licenses.

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In a bid to address the backlog in renewal applications, the department increased the capacity of NPTR support staff, adding 17 positions to urgently deal with public transport.

Department spokesperson Collen Msibi said further recruitment is under way, with some processes at an advanced stage.

“We are redesigning and implementing the National Land Transport Information System (NLTIS) to enable online applications and electronically communicate the real-time status and progress of applications with applicants.

“The designs and proposals that are in the NPTR module on the redesigned NLTIS are aligned with some of the proposed solutions presented by the National Red Tape Reduction Task Team and the tourism industry.

“This is meant to improve efficiency and the turn-around times to finalise applications. The prolonged absence of an NPTR committee and the ambiguities of interpretation, as well as the implementation of the National Land Transport Act, Act 05 of 2009 (NLTA) will now be a thing of the past for many operators.

“An interim NPTR committee has been appointed to deal with the backlog of applications,” he said.

Msibi added that following the appointment of the committee, his department is happy to announce that since the beginning of July, the regulator has been printing licences and contacting operators to submit correctly completed and outstanding documentation to enable the smooth flow of application processing.

“The newly-appointed committee is also committed to engaging stakeholders to deal with the challenges and grievances of the industry.

“Scheduled stakeholder engagements will sit to create a common understanding and interpretation of the NLTA and its regulations, as well as to deal with specific matters raised to date by stakeholders,” he said.

Msibi explained that tourism remains an important building block, especially for the growth of rural and township economies, which must, in turn, be driven by efficient and integrated transport systems as enablers for the development of the industry, growing the economy and reversing the impacts of the Covid pandemic.

“Therefore, we want to ensure it remains an enabler rather than a barrier in the growth of the tourism industry by improving regulatory and administrative practices for inclusive participation and sector growth.

“We will continue to work together with the Department of Tourism and the industry in this regard,” he said.

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