Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga says the signing into law of the amended National Land Transport Act (NLTA) 5 of 2009 finally paves the way for e-hailing services operators to apply for operating licences like any other public transport operator.
Chikunga commended the signing into law of the NLTA Bill, 2016, by President Cyril Ramaphosa, bringing to an end a 13-year wait for the amended bill, in order to accommodate e-hailing services.
Chikunga said the department has been developing regulations in parallel to the process of finalisation of the NLTA Amendment Bill by Parliament to address the President’s reservations.
The regulations were drafted, and the public was invited to submit comments through Government Gazette No. 49863. Public comments were received and considered by the department and incorporated where appropriate.
Thereafter, extensive consultation ensued with key stakeholders in the public transport’s space, inclusive of e-hailing services operators and e-hailing applications owners.
Chikunga said these regulations are ready and were awaiting the President to sign the Amendment Bill into law.
“Now that the President has signed the Amendment Bill, regulations will be submitted to the Office of the State Law Advisor for certification and submitted to the Minister for approval. This means that the e-hailing services operators will move away from the interim usage of charter permits and meter taxi operating licences to operating licences,” Chikunga said.
The National Land Transport Act was brought to the President’s desk in 2020 but was sent back to the National Assembly for reconsideration.
The revised Bill, amongst others, seeks to amend the National Land Transport Act, 2009, to insert certain definitions and amend others and provide for non-motorised and accessible transport.
Chikunga said the bill amends the National Land Transport Act of 2009 to bring it up to date with developments since the implementation and simplifies various provisions or solves problems that have arisen since the implementation; and makes provisions for non-motorized and accessible transport.
“It also enhances the roles of provinces and municipalities in public transport service contracts and expands the Minister's powers to implement regulations and safety measures as well as streamlines administrative arrangements for operating licences. Furthermore, it amends other transport-related legislation to bring it into line with the NLTA,” Chikunga said.
The Minister added that the NLTA now reflects government’s commitment to a modern, inclusive, and efficient transport system.
“In the whole, the Amendment Bill continues with the process of transformation and restructuring of the national land transport system as envisaged by the NLTA and initiated by the National Land Transport Transition Act, 2000.” – SAnews.gov.za
