Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
06 May 2023 | 14:05 CAT

Photo Credit: Jacaranda FM

Putco suspends bus service from today, 4 May, due to diesel shortage until further notice. The disruption results from unpaid March subsidy claims by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.

The Department said it was working with the bus company to find a solution to minimise service disruption and inconvenience to the passengers.

Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport MEC’s Spokesperson, Lesiba Mpya, said the company had only received a subsidy payment for half of March. As a result, it was experiencing a diesel shortage.

Mpya explains Bus operators would give in an estimated monthly cost followed by upward or downward adjustments depending on the validity of money made. The Auditor General has found that this practice needed to align with The Good Practice and is an irregular expenditure.

He said it is regrettable that the suspension of the bus services has impacted the commuters, especially those who use PUTCO daily and purchase monthly tickets.

Meanwhile, the Department met with PUTCO on Thursday. Mpya told Radio Islam International the dialogue had positive outcomes, and the Bus services will resume on Friday, 5 May.

“Valued issues were raised, particularly around escalation as PUTCO were locked in long term contracts that were not flexible in terms of consumer prices index adjustments as well as inflation adjustments,” he says.

Listen to the interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie.