Festive Season Public Transport Sticker Project

The Department of Transport and Public Works and the City of Cape Town will offer public transport operators in the Western Cape free vehicle fitness checks from 12 to 24 December 2014 between 9:00 and 16:00 at the Joe Gqabi Transport Interchange in Philippi.

Roadside checking by enforcement officers will also take place at various sites in the province.

The Public Transport Sticker project runs at least twice a year, during Easter and the December holiday season. If the vehicle is in good condition, traffic officers will provide the operator with a sticker that verifies the vehicle’s fitness at that time. This sticker facilitates the work of traffic officers doing routine vehicle checks en route. Trailers can also be checked.

Provincial Traffic Chief Kenny Africa says law enforcement officers will be present along the road to ensure that drivers do not overload their vehicles, speed and drive tired.

• Read more on the dangers of overloaded vehicles.

“Information such as the name of the driver is recorded on the sticker and it serves as vital clues for officers along the road,” he said.

Mr Africa added that overloading is problematic, especially over the Christmas period as everybody transports goods and luggage from one destination to another.

“Therefore five of the nine weighbridges in the province will operate 24/7. A close eye will also be kept on speeding by calculating the average speed travelled in relation to the distance,” said Africa.

Through the sticker project, the partners are showing their commitment to getting commuters safely to their destinations this holiday season.