06 Feb 2020

It is possible to increase public transport licenses operating from Ramotswa, Mogobane and Otse between 5am up and 10pm, but had limitations such as lack of bus ranks, sustainability of the businesses and over-subscription of the routes.

Answering a question in Parliament, the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulagano Segokgo said the current bus ranks were over-subscribed thus making it difficult to properly regulate the public transport operators.

“To mitigate this, an arrangement is in place, whereby operators are allowed to increase their allocated time slots/schedules for mornings from 5am - 8am. Similarly, the afternoon or after work flexible hours are between 4:30 pm- 7:00 pm,” he said. The minister said it should be noted that passenger movements were minimal during the day compared to mornings and afternoons.

He, however, said the ministry would continue to engage with public transporters to encourage them to increase operations during rush hours.

Mr Segokgo further said, it was not lawful to have public transport operators putting road Marshalls at strategic bus stops to stop people from getting alternative means of transport in the absence of scheduled buses.

“We have cautioned the operators against this,” he said. 

The Member of Parliament for Kanye North Mr Thapelo Letsholo had asked the minister on the possibility of increasing public transport licences in  Ramotswa, Mogobane and Otse, in the morning and evening hours to cater for a contingent of people going to and from work.

He also wanted to know if it was lawful to have public transport operators putting road Marshalls at strategic bus stops. ENDS