Transport rules amended to accommodate social grant payments
Effective from Monday, until Friday, 3 April, buses and taxis will be permitted to operate from 5am until 8pm.
IN light of the payment of social grants from Monday onwards, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has amended the public transport directions under the National State of Disaster.
“Following the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the days social grants would be paid, a number of industry bodies have made representations on the relaxation of hours [in which] public transport vehicles are allowed to operate,” said the Minister on Sunday.
Under the current lockdown, aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19, public modes of transport are allowed to operate from 5am – 9am and again from 4pm – 8pm.
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As of today, 30 March, these hours will be upscaled.
“Effective from Monday, until Friday, 3 April, buses and taxis will be permitted to operate from 5am until 8pm in order to cater to the transportation needs of society’s most vulnerable,” said Mbalula.
A similar request to relax the hours was made by the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu.
“Having considered Minister Zulu’s request and representations made by various industry bodies, including the taxi industry, I have decided to amend the Public Transport Directions in order to accommodate grant beneficiaries,” said Mbalula.
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Grant recipients are required to carry their IDs and SASSA cards when travelling on public transport to assist law enforcement efforts.
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