Eastern Cape races to fix scholar transport payment delays

The Eastern Cape Department of Transport says it is working “around the clock” to process outstanding payments to scholar transport operators, following widespread service disruptions that have affected learners across multiple districts.

The department confirmed that operators in several parts of the province withdrew services in protest over delayed payments, leaving many learners struggling to get to school. The disruptions have had a noticeable impact on teaching and learning, particularly in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, OR Tambo District Municipality, and Chris Hani District Municipality.

System issues blamed for delays

According to the department, the delays are linked to technical and system-related challenges that have affected payment processing. Officials met with transport operators to explain the situation and outline steps being taken to resolve the issue.

Authorities say teams have now been deployed across all districts to speed up the processing of legitimate claims. The goal is to clear the backlog and restore services as quickly as possible.

The department acknowledged the frustration among operators, many of whom rely on timely payments to continue providing daily transport for learners, especially in rural and under-served areas.

Pressure to restore services

Scholar transport plays a critical role in ensuring access to education in the Eastern Cape, where long distances and limited public transport options make it difficult for many learners to reach school.

With services disrupted, some learners have reportedly missed classes, while others have had to find alternative and often unreliable means of transport.

The department says stabilising the payment system remains a top priority, with efforts focused on ensuring operators return to the roads as soon as payments begin to flow.

Ongoing engagements

Officials confirmed that engagements with stakeholders are continuing as part of efforts to resolve the situation. The department has indicated that it is intensifying interventions to prevent further disruption and restore normal operations.

The situation highlights the broader challenges within the scholar transport system, where administrative delays can quickly escalate into service shutdowns that directly affect learners and schools.

As the department works to resolve the issue, the immediate focus remains on clearing outstanding payments and ensuring that transport services resume without further interruption.