High turnout forces postponement of Scholar Transport meeting

Scholar transport vehicle.

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has postponed its Scholar Transport Stakeholder Engagement Meeting to next week following an overwhelming turnout of scholar transport operators.

WATCH | Gauteng MEC of Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela says more than 1,500 scholar transport operators have applied for operating licences since last year, with over 500 licences already issued and some 1,000 applications in the finalisation stage. pic.twitter.com/yWralup8Mo

— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 8, 2026

The number of attendees exceeded the capacity of the Johannesburg City Hall, which can only accommodate 1000 people. The meeting is expected to resume next week to allow broader and full participation of all the scholar transport operators.

The MEC For Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, says the high turnout made it impossible to proceed safely with the engagement.

“We are here to help them, as the department, to ensure that they are compliant. We have also requested our colleagues in education to request endorsement letters from scholar transport operators and ensure that parents have contracts.”

WATCH | Scholar transport operators have voiced mixed views as the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport’s Provincial Scholar Transport Stakeholder Engagement meeting at Johannesburg City Hall has reached full capacity, leaving hundreds waiting outside. pic.twitter.com/oAWQCo5frC

— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 8, 2026