More than 400 operating licences issued to public transport operators in Gauteng could be cancelled if they are not collected by Friday, 14 August 2026.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has urged operators, particularly those in the minibus taxi and scholar transport sectors, to collect their licences before the deadline.
The appeal comes after the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport made significant progress in reducing administrative delays and improving the turnaround time for issuing operating licences.
Despite these improvements, the department says more than 400 valid licences remain uncollected. Operators who have received SMS notifications or communication through their transport associations are encouraged to collect their documents as soon as possible.
The department warned that operators who fail to collect their licences by the deadline risk having them cancelled. Those affected would have to restart the application process in line with the relevant legislation.
Since November 2025, the department has prioritised clearing the backlog of operating licence applications, resulting in more than 2,000 valid licences being issued to compliant minibus taxi and scholar transport operators across the province.
Diale-Tlabela said the department remains committed to improving regulatory compliance and creating a more efficient, transparent and responsive public transport system.
“We are calling on applicants, particularly minibus and scholar transport operators, to collect their operating licences without delay so they can continue operating legally and contribute to safer roads across Gauteng,” she said.
On Friday, 10 July 2026, the department handed over 208 operating licences to compliant public transport operators during an event at the Derek Masoek Regional Office in Johannesburg.
According to the department, the ongoing initiative is aimed at improving service delivery, strengthening regulatory compliance and supporting a safe, reliable and efficient public transport system for commuters across Gauteng.
The department added that operating licences are essential in ensuring public transport operators are legally authorised to provide services while contributing to a well-regulated and sustainable transport sector.
