Gauteng government and PUTCO reach a deal, brings relief to bus commuters

PHUTI MOSOMANE

The PUTCO bus service, which had suspended its operations due to diesel shortages, will resume its services on Friday.

This will provide much-needed relief to thousands of commuters in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo.

On Thursday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, held a meeting with senior executives of the bus company to resolve the service disruption.

The issue arose after PUTCO issued a notice suspending its services on Wednesday, citing unpaid subsidies for March by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.

This decision had left 1,400 buses out of service.

Lesufi expressed his deep concern about the impact of the service disruptions on the people of Gauteng, especially those who rely on public transport for their daily activities.

“I am pleased that we have come to an agreement and that concerns raised by bus operators will be addressed to ensure