Cross-border bus owners protest lockdown regulations on Durban streets

Owners of cross-border buses said the international transport business might never recover if the current government restrictions on travel persist. 

“If they allow us to go down, there will be no international travel in South Africa,” said Fiona Brooke-Leggatt, chairperson of the nationwide Private Charter Passenger Association. 

The association held an awareness drive on the streets of Durban, with buses heavily decorated in slogans.

According to Brooke-Leggatt, the owners are calling for the government to refund the licence fees of charter, tourism and game vehicles on a pro-rata basis effective from 26 March 2020 to 26 September 2020. 

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The association is made up of cross-border bus owners. 

One of their main demands, said Brooke-Leggatt, was a refund of their licence fees. 

Since the country entered into lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic on 26 March, cross-border travel has been prohibited. 

Under the current government regulations, cross-border travel will only be allowed during level 1. 

“We want our licence fees paid back to us because we have not been able to utilise them. We paid the licence fees in good faith, with the understanding that we will be on the road but we have not been working since March,” said Brooke-Leggatt. 

Brooke-Leggatt said the licence fees cost between R20 000 – R50 000 depending on the size and capacity of the bus. The licence is valid for a period of six months and has to be renewed, she said. 

To avoid penalties and interest, bus owners pay for their licences on a prepaid basis. Brooke-Leggatt said those who paid before the national lockdown, have effectively thrown their money down the drain.

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Brooke-Leggatt added that they have tried to contact the Department of Transport but have not had any engagement. 

“Unfortunately we are not SANTACO (South African Taxi Council) who have got a R1 billion bailout and we are the only entity that does not receive any government assistance,” said Brooke-Leggatt. 

“We planned to hand over a memorandum to a representative from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport but no one showed up to receive it,” she added. 

This story will be updated when the Berea Mail receives a response from the Department of Transport.

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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.

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