Northern Education Transport Coordinators (NETCO), a local scholar transport association with 980 members, recently went digital so that its members can be registered on the Gauteng on the Move database.
“The Department of Roads and Transport needs to know who is transporting school learners. We need to know the details of the drivers and which associations they belong to.
“We urge those who have not yet gone through this process to do so,” said Joseph Mabuza from the Department of Roads and Transport and manager of the digitalisation project.
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NETCO chairperson Lucky Mazibuko said, “Many regions have their own associations and we are working with them.
“We want to have an association similar to the South African National Taxi Association (SANTACO) which will allow us to all belong to one association.
“That would allow us to have better communication among those transporting learners to and from schools,” he said.
Mazibuko added one of the biggest issues faced by NETCO was operators not listed with the organisation transporting children.
He said parents can easily identify these operators who often undercharge their transport services.
“Parents should speak to schools and ask for contact details for registered transport associations in the area. NETCO can also verify if a child’s transport is registered.”
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NETCO’s PRO Kgabo Selolo added to the importance of parents knowing what to look for when choosing transport for their children.
“Parents must ask drivers which association they belong to. They must have a contract signed by them and the parent. They must have a price list and their cars must have a sticker of their association,” he said.
Selolo added if the driver does not have the required contract, sticker or price list they do not belong to any association.
