Learners will soon be returning to school and it is unclear how those making use of scholar transport will be catered for in these Covid-19 times.
Most learners use scholar transport to get to school and some organisations who render this service are frustrated to say the least.
The COURIER met Southern Suburbs School Transport Organisation (SSSTO) and Gauteng Education Transport Services (GETS) in an effort to understand their frustrations.
Koki Ncala, chairperson of SSSTO, said no one is talking to them. “We have families and we are parents with no income. The past weeks have been difficult for us. We are concerned about the safety of the children and the well-being of our business.
“We want the Gauteng Department of Education to come on board and help us in order to continue helping out in transporting school children. “Schools will open soon but no one is considering us in terms of how we are going to sanitise our vehicles and where we go for relief fund. “We know taxis need to be 70 per cent full, so how will this work in scholar transport?” he asked.
Daniel Phali, from GETS, said most parents haven’t paid for their children during lockdown.
“We have parents who don’t pay because children are at home. This is also our bread and butter, when we don’t get the money we can’t pay our expenses,” he said.
The scholar transport drivers mentioned that at this difficult time, no one is recognising them. However, if there is an accident involving scholar transport, almost everyone gets involved. All they want is help and a way forward.
Gauteng Department of Education was contacted for comment. They had not responded at the time of going to press.
