By Bhekizenzo Zonele
Western Cape learner transport services resumed on Wednesday after a one-day suspension affected 21,934 pupils, but a dispute over operators’ rising fuel costs remains unresolved as diesel prices increased by as much as R3.24 a litre.
The South African National Small Bus Operators Council in the Western Cape (SANSBOC-WC) suspended services on Tuesday, the first day of the fourth school term, saying its members could no longer absorb rising diesel and operating costs while working under fixed contractual tariffs.
Following talks with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), operators agreed to return to the road on Wednesday while discussions continue over possible diesel cost relief.
The resumption came on the same day that new national fuel prices took effect, with diesel rising by R2.84 a litre for 500ppm and R3.24 a litre for 50ppm.
Western Cape Education MEC Jaco Londt acknowledged that high fuel prices were putting operators under severe financial pressure.
“We had an honest and frank discussion about the severe financial pressures facing the sector. The current economic climate, with high fuel prices, makes it near impossible for transport operators to have a sustainable business model when they are bound by contractual tariffs. We understand this,” Londt said.
Londt said the WCED currently spends R698 million in the 2026/27 financial year to transport more than 71,000 learners every school day.
The department is considering whether some form of diesel cost relief can be provided, but no agreement has yet been reached.
An internal WCED process is examining the financial implications, with the department expected to provide SANSBOC-WC with a substantive response by Friday, 9 October.
Londt said any potential relief would have to be “considered in terms of budget affordability and due process”.
He welcomed the return of services, saying: “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.”
INSIDE EDUCATION
