The Gauteng Department of Basic Education has confirmed that scholar transport services will resume on 16 February, bringing relief to thousands of learners who were left stranded after operators suspended services over unpaid invoices.
After weeks of uncertainty and missed school days, the Gauteng Department of Basic Education (DBE) has confirmed that scholar transport services across the province will resume on 16 February. The announcement follows intense pressure from parents and transport operators after buses were withdrawn due to outstanding payments.
Disruption Over Unpaid Invoices
Transport operators had suspended services earlier this month, citing non-payment for several months. Without funds for fuel, maintenance, and driver salaries, operators said they could no longer continue transporting learners under the provincial subsidy programme.
The suspension left thousands of learners in communities such as Soshanguve, Khutsong and other parts of Gauteng either stranded at home or walking long distances to school. Many families, already under financial strain, struggled to find alternative transport.
Parents Demand Accountability
Frustrated parents took to the streets in several areas, blocking roads and demanding immediate intervention from provincial authorities. They argued that the ongoing disruption was unfairly punishing learners who depend on subsidised buses to access education.
"Our children cannot keep missing school because of payment issues. Education must come first," said one parent during a community protest.
Services Set to Restart
The DBE has now assured operators that outstanding invoices are being processed and confirmed that buses will return to their routes from 16 February. While the announcement has been welcomed, some parents say they will be watching closely to ensure services resume as promised.
Education analysts caution that even short-term disruptions can have lasting effects on learning, particularly for pupils in under-resourced communities. With services expected to restart, attention now turns to preventing similar breakdowns in the future.