News24 reports that Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has extended the hours during which public transport services are allowed to operate to accommodate social grant recipients.
He said in a statement on Sunday: "Effective from tomorrow, 30 March 2020, until Friday, 3 April 2020, buses and taxis will be permitted to operate from 05:00 until 20:00 in order to cater to the transportation needs of society's most vulnerable. The exercise of social distance by all those using public transport must be observed and enforced. We will issue further directions in this regard." During the lockdown, public transport services are only allowed to operate daily between 05:00 and 09:00 and again from 16:00 to 20:00. But the minister said several industry bodies and Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu made representations on the issue. A spokesperson for the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) said the extension of the operating hours was a relief for their industry.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nhlanhla Jele at News24
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