The national Department of Transport has published special regulations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup (from the National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009) and crafted some guidelines on the handling of public transport matters before and during the event.
There will obviously be increased mobility on the part of the public for the duration of the world cup. Public transport operators (mini bus taxi owners in the main) like other entrepreneurs in South Africa are looking forward to explore available opportunities that might arise during this period. The bottom line however remains that public transport operations will still have to be conducted within the parameters of the law to avoid chaos and disorder. Within the same breadth care should be taken to guard against opportunists.
The Department of Transport has appointed a national transport facilitator for operating licences for the event. The duties of this incumbent among others will be:
* To monitor, oversee and facilitate coordination between the spheres of government and other relevant parties in relation to the licensing of public transport operations for the event.
* To ensure that relevant time scales are met to enable such transport to function efficiently for the event.
Similarly, the Head of each Provincial Department must appoint a Provincial Transport Facilitator to assist the National Transport Facilitator and perform similar functions at a Provincial level.
Public transport operators are advised to visit district offices of the Department of Transport without delay for further clarities on the issuing of the special operating licences for this event.
Amathole district:
Mrs J Domoney
Tel: 043 704 6665
Chris Hani district
Mr M Mbebe
Tel: 045 838 2506
Alfred Ndzo:
Mr M Qhwesha
Tel: 039 797 8565
OR Tambo
Mr S Msindo
Tel: 047 531 4485
Ukhahlamba
Mrs N Zoko
Tel: 051 633 2871
Cacadu district
Mr M Siwa
Tel: 041 508 2711
In the light of the above the following issues should be taken into account:
* Operators who already hold operating licences or permits for the relevant routes or areas do not require temporary operating licences; they may operate for 2010 within the authority of their normal operating license or permit.
* Operators who hold Operating licences or permits for other routes or areas will require temporary operating licences in terms of section 60 of the act and must apply following the special process provided for in the Regulations. This process does not require advertising in the Government Gazette. It only requires a vehicle inspection, not a full roadworthy test. A full test will only be required if the vehicle is suspect.
The reasoning is that because the operator already holds an operating licence or permit, the vehicle will have been fully tested at least in the previous 12 months as part of the vehicle licensing process as required by the national road traffic regulations.
* Operators who do not hold an operating licences or permit for the vehicle in question and who want to operate the vehicle for 2010 must apply for a full operating licence in the usual way. In terms of the act an operating licence can be issued for any period, but not longer than seven years. These operating licences could thus be issued for the 2010 period, that is: about two months.
The national deadline for these applications is 28 February 2010.
Issued by: Department of Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
23 February 2010
