Gauteng Roads MEC Urges Taxi Operators to Verify Licences and Applications

Appeal for Compliance in the Taxi Sector

Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, has issued a call to all taxi operators in the province to ensure that their operating licences are in order. Diale-Tlabela encouraged operators who are not yet legally operating to apply for the necessary documentation or verify the status of their existing applications.

Recent Initiative to Strengthen Public Transport Regulation

This renewed emphasis on compliance follows the recent handover of 529 operating licences to public transport operators. The licences were distributed across all five regions of Gauteng as part of efforts to improve regulatory compliance, bolster passenger safety, and support the creation of a legally operated public transport industry.

Details of Licence Handover

The handovers took place last week at the Department’s Head Office and at the Tshwane Regional offices in Koedoespoort, providing a boost to both compliant minibus taxi operators and other public transport service providers. The initiative is part of the provincial government’s broader strategy to:

• Enhance regulatory oversight in the public transport sector
• Accelerate the processing of operating licence applications
• Reduce the existing backlog of unprocessed licences
• Encourage operators to conduct business in accordance with the law

Ongoing Support for Legal Operations

According to Diale-Tlabela, these weekly handover programmes will continue, reaching even more regions in Gauteng. The Department of Roads and Transport is committed to issuing operating licences to all qualifying operators and helping those whose applications are still outstanding.

“We have started issuing operating licences to taxi and other public transport operators across the province, and we will continue with these weekly handover programmes, reaching different regions of Gauteng,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela.

The MEC reassured operators that the department is making significant progress in addressing the backlog and invited those with pending applications to engage directly with the department to clarify their status.

“We are appealing to taxi operators who are not yet operating legally to visit our offices to apply for operating licences or verify the status of their applications,” she added.

Shared Responsibility for a Safer Industry

Diale-Tlabela highlighted the importance of collaboration between government and the taxi sector to achieve a fully compliant public transport industry. She underlined that operators also have a responsibility to meet all regulatory requirements and ensure they possess valid operating documentation.

“We are addressing the backlog and remain committed to ensuring that every compliant operator receives their operating licence,” the MEC stated. “As the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, we will continue working to ensure that public transport operators conduct their businesses legally.”

Ongoing Programme Rollout

The department will continue the operating licence handover programmes across all five regions. These efforts aim to promote a more regulated, accountable, and ultimately safer public transport sector in Gauteng.

Why Regulatory Compliance Matters

Licensing not only helps formalise the public transport industry but is also essential for ensuring passenger safety and maintaining orderly road operations. Operators with valid licences are able to provide legal, reliable services to commuters while contributing to safer transport systems overall. With the holiday season approaching, ongoing calls for compliance highlight the collective effort needed to support road safety and efficient public mobility.

How Operators Can Engage

Taxi operators in Gauteng are encouraged to:

• Apply for required operating licences at Department offices
• Check the status of outstanding applications
• Engage directly with officials to regularise their legal status

These steps support the province’s vision for a regulated, safe, and reliable public transport network.