Gauteng MEC for Roads calls on taxi operators to verify their licences and applications

The Gauteng MEC responsible for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has urged taxi operators who are not yet legally operating to apply for operating licences or check the status of their applications. This appeal comes after 529 operating licences were handed out to transport companies across Gauteng's five regions in an effort to boost regulatory compliance and enhance passenger safety.

The licensing handovers occurred over two days at the Department's headquarters and Tshwane Regional offices in Koedoespoort, benefiting compliant minibus taxi and other public transport operators. The initiative is part of the provincial government's strategy to enhance regulatory oversight, expedite the processing of operating licence applications, tackle the existing backlog, and ensure that public transport operators abide by the law.

Diale-Tlabela emphasized the department's commitment to ensuring compliant operators receive their operating licences and the public transport sector meets regulatory standards. The Department is making strides in addressing the operating licence backlog and has advised operators with outstanding applications to contact the Department directly to verify their status and regularise their operations.

Diale-Tlabela appealed to non-compliant taxi operators to visit the department's offices to apply for licences or verify their applications, stressing that a fully compliant public transport sector requires collaboration between the government and operators. She highlighted that operators must also adhere to all regulatory requirements and possess valid operating documentation, while the department remains dedicated to improving application processing and addressing the backlog.