Road Passenger Chamber

The National Land Transport Act of 2009, define a bus as a motor vehicle designed or modified to carry more than 35 persons, including the driver. The National Household Travel Survey of 2013 reports that 20% of South African households use buses as a form of transport and regards buses as a safer mode of public transport. The industry includes long distance bus services, tour and charter bus services, cross-border bus services, intercity bus services, school/learner bus services, commercial contract bus services, special hire or private hire bus services, subsidised and non-subsidised bus services, and scheduled and unscheduled bus services

The Skills Levy file (2017 – 2020), obtainable from the South African Revenue Services (SARS) indicates that the entire Transport sector employs 6% (331 429) of the South African working population. The bus subsector employs 32 951 people, which represent almost 10% of the transport formal employment profile. This number does not include any informal employment and or those employed in bus companies that do not participate in the skills development levy system.

There are only 6 924 bus companies registered with SARS in terms of the correct Standard Industry Classification (SIC) Codes The table below show the SIC Codes for use of by bus operators who wish to participate in the Skills Development and proper registration with SARS.

The Road Passenger Chamber represents and is responsible for the implementation of the mandate of TETA in the Eastern Cape. TETA does not have offices in the Eastern Cape, largely due to budgetary constraints. TETA strives to serve the Eastern Cape through the Office of the Premier by participating in the Provincial Skills Development Forum Activities, The Department of Transport and TVET Colleges.

In order to participate in the development of rural communities, TETA has collaborated with the Department of Basic Education in adopting the following schools: Nowawe Secondary School, Lavelilanga Secondary School, Vuluhlanga High School, Gwelane Senior Secondary School, Dalibaso Senior Secondary School, Kulanathi Senior Secondary, Dimanda Senior Secondary, Mtengwane Secondary School

Apart from the South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council (SARPBAC) which is an external stakeholder, there is Chamber Committee in place responsible for each chamber at TETA. The Chamber Committees consist of stakeholders for employer bodies and organised labour. The role of the Chamber committee is to recommend approval of the chamber Annual Performance Plan to the TETA Board and provide governance oversight responsibilities on behalf of the TETA Board. Below is a list of the Road Passenger Chamber Committee Members, the constituencies they represent and contact details:

The National Department of Transport, through various Municipalities is investing in the Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN) and Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) systems. This will require new skills for the bus industry.The subsector developed new industry specific national qualifications namely, Occupational Certificate: Bus Driver at NQF Level 3. The details of the qualification are obtainable on the SAQA website. TETA encourages the subsector to take up and implement this qualification.

Road Accidents remain a challenge in the transport sector. TETA, with limited funding will support the subsector with safety initiatives as outlined in the strategic plan and annual performance. These safety initiatives include partnerships and campaigns.

Strategic focus

Some of the strategic focus of the chamber include

• Play a meaningful role in the skilling employees in the ITPN and BRT systems, including 4IR initiatives
• Support safety initiatives, especially for scholar transport and small bus operators;
• Support career guidance initiatives, especially in rural areas;
• Encourage registered levy-paying companies and SMMEs to participate in the skills development initiatives;
• Work closely with employee organisations in raising awareness and establishing ways of cascading information on the benefits of skills development within the industry;