Learner transport services in the Western Cape will resume today, Wednesday 7 October, after the South African National Small Bus Operators Council, Western Cape (SANSBOC-WC) agreed to end the suspension it imposed yesterday.

The announcement follows a meeting between Western Cape Minister of Education Jaco Londt and SANSBOC-WC leadership on Tuesday 6 October, after which the council met with its members and agreed to resume operations.

Thousands affected on first day of term

According to Londt, 21 934 learners across different parts of the Western Cape were affected by the suspension on the first day of the fourth school term.

He said learners are the department’s number one priority and that the department is committed to ensuring no further disruptions to schooling.

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Honest discussion about financial pressures

Londt described the engagement as positive and held in good faith, with an honest and frank discussion about the severe financial pressures facing the sector.

He said 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.

“This is precisely why the Western Cape is the only province actively engaging on the possibility of diesel cost relief, despite significant budget implications,” Londt said.

The WCED already spends R698 million in the 2026/27 financial year to transport over 71 000 learners every school day, according to the minister. He says any relief must be considered in terms of budget affordability and due process.

Substantive response due on Friday

The engagement has allowed the department the space to conclude its internal processes and come back to SANSBOC-WC with a substantive response on Friday 9 October, after a scheduled internal WCED meeting on Wednesday 7 October where the cost implications of the fuel price increase will be discussed.

Londt thanked SANSBOC-WC for its partnership in ensuring learners get to school safely, and said the WCED is particularly mindful of vulnerable learners who depend entirely on the service and matric learners who cannot afford to lose a single day.

He also thanked department officials, principals, parents and learners for their understanding.