Minister Carlisle: All SA Roadlink Buses Entering Western Cape to be Stopped and Inspected

Media Statement by Robin Carlisle, Minister of Transport and Public Works

Whilst I am always pleased to see new buses being added to fleets, our provincial experience with SA Roadlink is getting worse, not better.

In July, we hauled over one of their buses, which was fit for nothing but the scrapyard. It was an absolute disgrace.

This is not the first time SA Roadlink is making a noise about new buses - previously we have seen newspaper photographs of brand-new buses, followed by a bust just days later of a Roadlink bus with faulty brakes and a non-shatterproof windscreen.

Again and again we have seen instances where Roadlink buses that have been pulled over have failed roadworthy tests dismally, meaning they are a serious danger not only to their passengers, but to road users in general.

As part of our Safely Home Campaign, I have asked my law enforcement colleagues to pull over and fully inspect all SA Roadlink buses entering the Western Cape.

Provincial Traffic Chief, Kenny Africa, has told Community Safety Minister, Dan Plato, and me that he has issued a directive to provincial traffic officers on the ground to stop and check every SA Roadlink bus they see.

Whilst I do not wish to single out Roadlink, the fact is that we have hauled more of their buses off the road than all the other national bus lines put together.

They do not have adequate regional and provincial technical inspection depots and, in most other countries in the world, they would not be allowed to operate.

We are not going to allow any company to violate the rules of the road at the expense of road users in general.