The Eastern Cape Department of Transport has appointed SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd to re-design the scholar transport service in the province at a cost of R4 139 340.00.
Since its migration from the Department of Education to the Department of Transport, there has been a significant improvement in the service. However, the department still believes that a lot can still be done in order to improve the efficiency of the service.
Even the Department of Education acknowledges that the service, as administered by the Department of Transport, has dramatically improved since 18 July 2011. For the first time there is actual control over who transports the scholars, the type of vehicles and whether the service was actually rendered.
To date, a total of 54 406 scholars are being transported to 640 schools from 3 072 pick-up points across the province. The Department of Transport has set up a technical team led by the Director of Public Transport Operations Mr Phumzile Mayapi and a Project Steering Committee led by the Chief Director for Transport Operations Mr James Mtila, which had an Inception Meeting on 3 August 2012 with the new service provider.
The purpose of the meeting was to clarify issues and roles to be played by the respective parties, including officials from the Department of Education and Provincial Treasury. The Inception Report is due on 17 August 2012, which will include planning for 2013 academic year services that will feature information on the:
- Measurement and GPS routes and pick-up points
- Improvement of efficiencies e.g. where few scholars are transported over long distances.
- Scholars that are transported to the closest appropriate school as parental choice is not allowed for.
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Ncedo Kumbaca
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