Yes, I have been advised that there is backlog in the processing of applications for tourists operator licences by the National Public Transport Regulator. The department has appointed additional staff to fast track the processing and issuing of operating licenses for tourists operating licenses. In addition to this, the department has appointed a service provider to redesign the national land transport information system in order to address the shortcomings of the current system which further compounds the delays.
The department has similarly organised workshops in partnerships with the Department of Tourism and with tourist operators to raise awareness on requirements and processes for the accreditation of tourist operators and issuing of operating licences. The maximum
waiting period for all operating licences, including tourist operator licences is 90 days.
Yes, the law provided for the protection of operators who are waiting for the finalisation of their applications to renew their operating license. This protection is only available to renewal applications as first time operators are not allowed to operate without an operating licence. Regulation 25 stipulates that where an application for renewal was properly made within 30 days before the expiry of the licence and the regulatory entity has not issued the licence by the expiry date, the operating licence will remain valid until the entity issues the renewed licence or notify the applicant that the application has been refused.
Section 50 of the National Land Transport Act 2009, stipulates that no one may operate public transport unless he or she is a holder of an operating licence. The process of appointing members of the National Public Transport Regulator, NPTR, is a transparent process which starts with the call for nominations through open media and sharing the call of nominations with the Department of Tourism.
The appointment is finalised based on the received nominations, etc.
The law requires that members of the NPTR must have specialised knowledge, like public transport, transport economics, accounting, auditing, accrual science, law, tourism, transport and vehicles standards and specifications.