MEC Ntuli inspects adherence to Covid-19 Level 3 Lockdown regulations on scholar transport operations

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Bheki Ntuli this morning monitored adherence to guidelines promulgated under Alert Level 3 of the Covid-19 national lockdown on-board a Scholar Transport Bus to Dlambula Primary School in eMagabheni, south of Durban.

While inside the Scholar Transport Bus, MEC Ntuli inspected safety measures including the adherence to physical distancing by learners traveling on the bus, the use of hand sanitisers, adherence to the loading capacity of learners as well as wearing of masks by learners and the driver. Temperature screening of all learners was conducted before they were allowed on the bus.

“This morning I accompanied learners to school on-board the Scholar Transport Bus in order to monitor and observe adherence to the Covid-19 regulations on Scholar Transport operations. I was satisfied with the high level of adherence to the regulations on the bus and general awareness displayed by both the driver and learners about the virus. There are over 470 Scholar Transport Buses that ferry more than 59 000 learners to various schools in the province. This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring safe transportation services to learners,” said MEC Ntuli.

In his Budget Speech last week, MEC Ntuli also announced that the Department is currently in the process of awarding Scholar Transport contracts at a value of R366 million.

The Department of Transport working with the Department of Education has made all necessary arrangements for the provision of Scholar Transport to learners that need the service.

Under Alert Level 3 of lockdown learners in Grade 12 and Grade 7 are being prioritised. As a health and safety precautionary measure, all Scholar Transport vehicles ferrying learners were disinfected before the services resumed. The Department has monitoring teams in all districts across the province and officials will be working around the clock to ensure compliance.