Since publication, wheels operators in South Africa reported that their vehicles were being impounded and that they were being slapped with fines because of an apparent disconnect between National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR) and traffic officials.

Following on from this, Hannelie du Toit, Satsa Manager Self-Regulation & Transformation, urged industry to give the NPTR a chance.

The new accreditation system for wheels operators came into effect on July 29. Kim Emmanuel reports on the updates of the new permit system.

The new accreditation system for wheels operators now provides the industry with a national operating licence as opposed to a provincial licence, however Hannelie du Toit, Manager: Self-Regulation and Transformation at Satsa, says the turnaround time for accreditation and renewals of licences remains a concern for the industry. Du Toit says the prescribed time for accreditation by the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR) is 60 days.

She says that while the previous system had the same prescribed time of 60 days, processing often exceeded these times significantly. “Some provinces processed the operating licences very efficiently but in others it took months and, in some cases, even years,” she said. Du Toit says at this stage Satsa is not aware of any member that has completed the process. “The cases that I am aware of are still in the application process and under the 60-day prescribed time.”

Du Toit adds that there continue to be delays because of lack of staff, but says she understands there is no “quick fix” to this. “What’s great about the NPTR is that they’re open to discussion. This is a new process with its growing pains but Satsa and the NPTR are here to make it as smooth as possible.”

Wheels operators are also legally allowed to use the vehicle with the expired operating licence until such time as they have been issued with a new one or the application has been declined, says Du Toit.

Under the new accreditation, operators must apply to the NPTR for accreditation instead of to provincial bodies for vehicle permits. Once accredited, wheels operators can apply for certification for additional vehicles, something that Du Toit says makes it much easier to add and change permits.

The National Public Transport Regulator will also allow renewals, transfers and conversions of current permits without having to go through the new accreditation process but then the permit details will stay the same. This means operators will have to appear in front of the board for provincially limited licences. “The current challenge is scheduling these board appearances, which is causing delays,” said Du Toit. She adds that operators applying for renewals, transfers and conversions will continue to operate on their stipulated routes, while those who go through the accreditation process may conduct business anywhere in South Africa.

However, du Toit says that because vehicles could now be used with an expired operating licence, this has had some relief on the delays caused by scheduling board appearances. She says the National Land Transportation Act, 2009 – National Land Transport Regulations - Section 25: Application for renewal of operating licence, states: “Where application for renewal was properly made under sub-regulation (1) and the regulatory entity has not issued the licence by the expiry date, the operating licence will remain valid until the entity either issues the renewed licence or notifies the applicant that the application has been refused, and the operator must keep in the vehicle the receipt issued by the regulatory entity as proof that such an application has been made.”

Operators would need to keep the expired licence/permit together with the receipt (even though this states that it does not allow the carrying of passengers) in the vehicle at all times, says du Toit. “We are following the process closely through our Satsa members and, should any challenges arise, we will take it up on their behalf.”

She adds that the NPTR is investigating the process to be followed for hired vehicles on an ad-hoc basis and that she is awaiting feedback from them.

Satsa has collated all the documents needed for accreditation and renewals. These can be downloaded here.