By David Ndodana
 
In a meeting with all public transport stakeholders in Midrand on Friday, 06 December 2024, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ms. Kedibone Diale-Tlabela announced the formation of a crisis committee to handle the processing and issuing of operating licenses.
 
The session was attended by members of the mayoral committees (MMCs) of the various municipalities in Gauteng, representatives from GMA, the Gauteng taxi industry represented by both Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA) and SA National Taxi Council (SANTACO).
 
In her opening remarks, MEC Diale-Tlabela stressed that “we are here to address challenges of minibus operating licenses. If we can address this issue, we will be able to avoid taxi protests.”
 
Amongst the objectives of the committee will include:
 
            Management of the operating licensing backlog;
            Facilitating introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) and technological advancements to assist with efficient regulation of public transport operations;
            Discussing challenges facing the public transport operating licensing environment and propose interventions; and
            Rooting out impediments and corruption in the licensing environment.
 
The Department proceeded to present the draft terms of reference for the formation of the committee. The meeting resolved the draft document should be shared with all stakeholders for inputs. It was further agreed that, in the next meeting, the draft must be adopted as a guiding document to direct the work of the committee.
 
Parties also agreed the project to last a period of six months and conclude its work on 30 June 2025. Weekly meetings will be held to assess progress.
 
Head of Department Dr. Thulani Mdadane proposed the formation of four workstreams. These will deal with the challenges of the project namely: Information and Computer Technology; Operating Licensing, Governance Structures as well as Planning and Policy.
 
The committee will have representatives from the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, GMA, Gauteng Department of Community Safety, National Department of Transport, Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), planning authorities (MMC’s), JMPD, TMPD, EMPD, SANTACO and its regional structures, GNTA and its regional structures.