Adhere to these public transport operating times to avoid being arrested

Chief of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) David Tembe said that a number of public transport vehicles were confiscated by the South African Police Service for failure to adhere to the lockdown rules this weekend (4 April).

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The Minister of Transport Fikile Mabalula said that the recent regulations restrict the purposes for which public transport can be used, the number of people that can be transported on a public transport vehicle, the times when public transport can operate and the safety and hygiene standards that public transport services must follow.

“Public transport can only be used for rendering essential services, obtaining essential goods or services, seeking medical attention, funeral services and for collecting payment of grants and pensions. Essential services workers using public transport must carry a permit from their employer proving their status,” said Arrive Alive in a released statement.

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Arrive Alive reiterated Mbalula’s announcement that public transport will only be available between 5am and 10am in the morning and 4pm and 8pm at night. One-hour grace periods are provided for minibus taxi services. Private institutions or companies may make arrangements for transportation of their essential services workers in line with shifts or schedules.

The number of passengers allowed differs by mode:

• Bus services are restricted to carrying 50 per cent of licensed capacity
• Metered taxi and e-hailing services are restricted to carrying 50 per cent of licensed capacity
• Minibus and midibus taxi services are restricted to carrying 70 per cent of licensed capacity
• Staff and charter transport’s restrictions are dependent on the vehicle type, that is 50 per cent if it is a bus, 70 per cent if midibus or minibus. If provided directly by the employer, then it is considered private transport and subject to the 60 per cent restriction.
• Private vehicles are restricted to carrying 60 per cent of licensed capacity.

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“To ensure that public transport is as safe as possible, hand sanitiser must be available at public transport facilities and, ideally, onboard the vehicle, drivers and marshals must wear a mask, and vehicles must be cleaned regularly. This applies to bus, minibus taxi, metered taxi and e-hailing services,” advised Arrive Alive.

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