The exercise of social distance by all those using public transport must be observed and enforced
THE CURFEW on operating hours for buses and taxis will be relaxed from Monday until Friday for social grant beneficiaries.
With effect from tomorrow, 30 March 2020 until Friday, 3 April 2020, buses and taxis will be permitted to operate from 05:00 until 20:00 in order to transport grant recipients.
Grant recipients are required to carry their Identity Documents and South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) cards when travelling on public transport, to assist law enforcement efforts.
Making the announcement this afternoon, Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, said that following the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the days social grants would be paid, a number of industry bodies had made representations on the relaxation of hours that public transport vehicles are allowed to operate. A similar request was made by the Minister of Social Development, Minister 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,” Mbalula said.
“Effective from tomorrow, 30 March 2020 until Friday, 3 April 2020, buses and taxis will be permitted to operate from 05:00 until 20:00 in order to cater to the transportation needs of society’s most vulnerable. The exercise of social distance by all those using public transport must be observed and enforced. We will issue further Directions in this regard.”
The elderly and people with disabilities will be allowed to access their grants on the 30th and 31st.
All other grants will be available from 31 April 2020.
