The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is calling on public transport operators to apply for special operating licenses for the festive season.

Submission for applications for special operating licenses by operators is currently open and will close on the 12 December 2019. Applications must be submitted at least a week before the actual event.

Special licenses will only be issued to recognised legal operators.

Issuing of special licenses serves to improve compliance, reduce illegal trips leading to violence and prevent the impounding of vehicles by law enforcement agencies.

Subject to section 60 (1) of the National Land Transport Act, 2009, no person may undertake a public transport service to or from a special event except:

(a) in the course of operating a courtesy service or tourist service that complies

with this Act;

(b) under the authority of an operating licence that authorises the relevant

transport on the route or in the area in question; or

It also states that a holder of an operating licence who is not authorised by subsection (a) or (b) to undertake a service to or from a special event, may apply to the prescribed entity for

a temporary operating licence in the prescribed manner. Route or routes on which the transport to and from the special event may be provided.

Interested operators should meet the following requirements:

A certified copy of ID (not older than 3 months);

Proof of valid Operating License (valid printouts from the OLAS system);

A valid tax clearance certificate from SARS;

A valid and certified certificate of registration (not older than 3 months);

A valid and certified certificate of roadworthy submitted (not older than 3 months);

A support letter or request signed under oath/original affidavit from the leader of the organization or group requesting special transport services. The letter should detail the origin, destination, number of passengers, purpose of the trip, date of departure and return to Gauteng Province;

An affidavit from the operator clearly stating that existing services and the special event would not be disrupted or jeopardised;

Applicant to provide a detailed list of commuters requiring services of special event public transport and the period of an event;

A prescribed Form 3A that is fully completed;

The vehicle details are fully completed as required by Section E of form;

Particulars of a route to and from the special event are clearly stated in a point to point description;

The pickup and drop off points of passengers is clearly specified; and

A regulated fee of R50 per application.

Source: Gauteng Province