Three of the 15 scholar transport busses which were discontinued and impounded by North West road traffic management authorities earlier in the week failed roadworthiness retests on Friday.
The busses were retested after they were presented for a free roadworthiness test at the Ditsobotla Local Municipality Vehicle Testing Station in Lichtenburg but they were once again declared unsafe for passenger transportation after a thorough examination.
Among some of the mechanical faults that were detected during earlier roadworthy tests were that they had mechanical faults detected during roadworthy tests were that the buses had defective steering mechanism, dysfunctional brakes, loose thyroid ends, loose seats, worn out kingpins, centre bolts, stabilisers and tyres.
Scholar transport operators are expected to present some of the outstanding busses for roadworthiness retests on Tuesday.
Provincial authorities expect the operators to make alternative arrangements for learners to reach schools in the farming communities surrounding Lichtenburg, Koster and Coligny without inconvenience.
In terms of the contract the operators have entered into with the Provincial Department of Public Works, Roads & Transport, the operators are liable for provision of safe and reliable transportation of the learners to and from schools over a 5 year period that commenced on 1 October 2010 to 30 November 2015.
North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety & Liaison, Ms Desbo Mohono had earlier in the week urged transport operators to ensure that their vehicles are repaired within the shortest time possible and submitted a free roadworthiness test so as to lessen inconvenience to learners.
MEC Mohono had vowed that the busses will only be allowed back on the road when they are roadworthy as they pose a danger to the lives of not only the learners but all other road users.
The Zero tolerance operation focusing on scholar transport is part of the National Rolling Enforcement Plan. The plan is part of the Make Roads Safe Campaign aimed at reducing road fatalities by half by 2014.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele (Departmental Spokesperson)
Tel: 018 381 9171
Fax: 018 381 9123
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Three scholar transport busses fail roadworthy retest in North West
Province
