Learner transport services across the Western Cape resumed on Wednesday, ending a one-day suspension that left thousands of learners without their usual transport on the first day of the fourth school term. The South African National Small Bus Operators Council – Western Cape (SANSBOC-WC) agreed to resume services from October 7, following talks with Western Cape Education MEC Jaco Londt. This decision brought relief to learners, parents, and guardians who were worried about the impact of the suspension on their schooling.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) currently spends R698 million in the 2026/27 financial year transporting more than 71,000 learners every school day. However, the dispute over rising fuel costs and the financial sustainability of learner transport contracts remains unresolved. MEC Londt acknowledged that the sector was under severe pressure due to high fuel prices, making it challenging for transport operators to maintain a sustainable business model under existing contractual tariffs.
Londt held a constructive engagement with SANSBOC-WC leadership on Tuesday and welcomed the decision by operators to return to the road. He emphasized that learners are the top priority and that the department is committed to ensuring no further disruptions to schooling. The agreement provides the WCED with time to conclude internal processes around the possibility of diesel relief for operators, with a substantive response expected on Friday.
The ANC Western Cape MPL Khalid Sayed welcomed the continuation of services, saying it provided reassurance to learners, parents, and guardians. However, he stressed that the resumption needed to translate into all contracted routes operating as expected. Sayed said the ANC caucus would monitor services through engagement with affected schools, communities, and the WCED and would raise any failures.
Parents for Equal Education South Africa (PEESA) founder and community activist Vanessa le Roux expressed concerns that the disruption highlighted a recurring problem affecting rural learners. She noted that each year, rural children are affected during critical times, such as when they have to write important exams. Le Roux also raised concerns about emergency alternatives used when contracted transport services fail, citing the risks associated with relying on taxis.
SANSBOC-WC had earlier stated that rising diesel and operating costs were making it increasingly difficult for contractors to continue working under existing tariffs. The WCED is expected to provide SANSBOC-WC with a substantive response on Friday, following an internal departmental meeting scheduled for Wednesday to consider the financial implications of rising fuel prices.
The underlying financial challenges have not disappeared, and stakeholders are calling for a sustainable solution to prevent further disruptions and uncertainty. The ANC caucus and PEESA will continue to monitor the situation and push for urgent progress towards a long-term resolution. Key to resolving the issue is finding a way to address the financial sustainability of learner transport contracts amidst rising fuel costs.
Key points
- The Western Cape Education Department spends R698 million annually transporting over 71,000 learners.
- The dispute over learner transport contracts remains unresolved due to rising fuel costs.
- Stakeholders are calling for a sustainable solution to prevent further disruptions to learner transport services.
