The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) reported a suspension of learner transport services disrupted travel for about 21,934 learners on the first day, with more than 71,000 learners relying on these services daily across the province. The suspension followed a sharp rise in diesel prices, which saw costs jump from R17.69 per litre in January 2026 to approximately R28.68 in September, with projections for October reaching close to R31.80 per litre.
This crisis hit pupils hard, particularly those in rural and farming communities who depend on subsidised transport to attend school. The disruption risks affecting school attendance and exam preparation, raising concerns among parents and educators alike.
After negotiations on 6 October between the WCED and the South African National Small Bus Operators Council in the Western Cape (SANSBOC-WC), operators agreed to resume services on 7 October while long-term solutions were explored. However, the situation remains fragile with ongoing financial pressures from soaring fuel costs.
The WCED announced a temporary contract amendment, allowing a 5% increase in monthly payments to learner transport operators in the second school term, followed by a 4.2% increase in the third term. This intervention aims to balance support for continued service delivery and responsible public fund management.
Jaco Londt, Western Cape Education MEC, said during a media briefing, “This intervention aims to support the continued delivery of services while ensuring that public funds are managed responsibly.”
The WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond acknowledged ongoing efforts, stating, “Any form of diesel relief has to be considered in terms of budget affordability. This process is in the final stages.”
SANSBOC-WC emphasised the financial strain transport operators face: “We are deeply sorry. We want to keep transporting your children. But we cannot continue operating indefinitely at a financial loss while fuel and other operating costs continue to rise,” they said in a statement.
Parents like Geraldine Kotze from Wellington expressed the urgency felt community-wide: “We desperately need children in school.”
The WCED allocates approximately R698 million annually for learner transport across the Western Cape, highlighting the scale and significance of the service. The dispute underscores the vulnerability of education support systems to economic pressures like fluctuating fuel costs.
The precise diesel price for October remains a matter of estimates, with slight variation between sources, but the effect on transport costs is clear. Although learner transport services have resumed temporarily, the department and operators continue negotiations to ensure sustainable solutions going forward.
We are monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as new developments emerge.