Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, has issued draft regulations to establish a new public transport regulatory entity in the province.

Vadi is inviting interested stakeholders such as the taxi and bus industry to comment on the proposed regulations.

The MEC explained that the regulatory entity will “monitor and oversee public transport in the province” and will also issue “operating licenses for intra-provincial transport.”

Currently, taxi and bus operating licenses and permits are issued by the Gauteng Operating License Board (GOLB).

In terms of the draft regulations, GOLB will be dis-established and its current functions will be transferred to the new public transport regulatory entity.

Vadi expects the new regulatory entity to be up and running by mid-2011 and is hopeful that it will speed up the processing of taxi operating licenses and permits.

The draft regulations are available at the Department of Roads and Transport and the closing date for public comments is 22 March 2011.

– BuaNews