On Monday, Western Cape Mobility Minister Ricardo Mackenzie officially launched the new “Citizen Online Portal” for the Western Cape Public Transport Regulation System (PTRS), which was developed by provincial government in 2019 following technical challenges with the national permitting system.
He stated: “With the launch of the online portal our Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) – which oversees and processes public transport licensing in the Western Cape – has extended its digital footprint to allowing citizens to apply online for public transport operating licences.”
The new portal doesn’t take any of the existing methods for interacting with the PRE (at the office or via email) away, but is an additional option to improve convenience and accessibility for operators.
The PTRS Citizen Online Portal allows citizens to:. apply online from anywhere;. monitor and track the status of their application; . receive notifications on outstanding actions; . view receipts and decision letters; and. access a digital summary of their operating licences and other information.
The portal went live on 1 March with a soft launch to test the platform and identify and address technical issues.
To date, 1 530 citizens have registered accounts and 721 applications for operating licences have been lodged via the online portal.
Some of the applications submitted online have already been issued by the PRE.
“I was pleased to see key public transport stakeholders who participated in the development of the online portal attended the launch. These include Golden Arrow Bus Services, Santaco-WC, the metered taxi industry and small bus operators.”
The PRE also announced it will conduct a registration drive and provide training across the province to assist operators with the portal.
Mackenzie concluded the continued aim is to improve service delivery in this crucial regulatory environment through technology and innovation.
To register an account, access the portal via https://live.online.ptrswesterncape.org. For assistance with online registration, please send an email to enquiries.wcpre@westerncape.gov.za or visit the PRE office at the Vangate Shared Service Centre in Athlone.
