NATIONAL NEWS - The South African National Small Bus Operators Council Western Cape (SANSBOC-WC) has committed to resuming learner transport services on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, following constructive engagement with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
The WCED held discussions with SANSBOC-WC leadership on Tuesday, 6 October, to address concerns relating to learner transport services. Following a subsequent meeting with its members, SANSBOC-WC agreed to resume operations.
The commitment will allow the WCED to continue with its internal processes relating to the matter.
The department said it trusted that SANSBOC-WC operators would honour the commitment, after 21 934 learners across the Western Cape were affected by the suspension of learner transport services on the first day of the fourth school term.
“Our learners are our number one priority, and we are committed to ensuring there are no further disruptions to schooling,” the WCED said.
The engagement also addressed the significant financial pressures facing the learner transport sector.
The department acknowledged that the current economic climate, particularly high fuel prices, is placing severe pressure on operators and making it increasingly difficult for them to maintain sustainable business models while operating under contractual tariffs.
“This is precisely why the Western Cape is the only province actively engaging on the possibility of diesel cost relief, despite significant budget implications,” the department said.
The WCED currently spends R698 million in the 2026/27 financial year to transport more than 71 000 learners to school every day.
Any potential relief, however, must be considered in terms of budget affordability and due process.
The department said Tuesday’s engagement was positive and conducted in good faith, providing it with an opportunity to conclude its internal processes before providing SANSBOC-WC with a substantive response on Friday, 9 October.
The cost implications of the fuel price increase will be discussed and considered at a scheduled internal WCED meeting on Wednesday.
The WCED thanked SANSBOC-WC for its partnership in ensuring that learners can travel safely to school.
“We are particularly mindful of our most vulnerable learners who depend entirely on this service, and our matric learners who cannot afford to lose a single day.”
The department also thanked officials, principals, parents and learners for their understanding.
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