JOHANNESBURG, Monday 26 October 2026 — ActionSA has called on the Gauteng government to intervene in a dispute involving Gautrain feeder-bus drivers who allegedly received dismissal notices following a work stoppage over outstanding vehicle operating licences.
The party’s Gauteng legislature representative and roads and transport spokesperson, Emma More, said on Monday that the notices should be withdrawn immediately.
ActionSA alleges that the dispute arose from operating-licence problems involving buses operated by Mega Express.
The party has requested an urgent intervention from Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela.
Drivers face dismissal notices
According to ActionSA, drivers employed by Mega Express received dismissal notices after a work stoppage at Gautrain’s Midrand and Pretoria bus depots.
The party said correspondence from the company indicated that the dispute involved outstanding operating licences.
ActionSA alleges that some buses were operating without the licences required by law.
It further claims that the operator had acknowledged working with the provincial government to resolve the issue.
The party argues that drivers should not face disciplinary consequences for licensing problems that it believes fall within the responsibilities of the operator and provincial authorities.
These allegations have not been independently confirmed by Mega Express or the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.
ActionSA seeks provincial intervention
More has called on Diale-Tlabela to ensure that dismissal notices are withdrawn without workers losing pay, benefits or their employment records.
ActionSA has written to the MEC, the Gautrain Management Agency and the chairperson of the Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Roads and Transport.
The party wants authorities to disclose how many Gautrain feeder buses may be operating without valid licences.
It has also requested information about how long any affected vehicles have been operating and when outstanding licences will be issued.
ActionSA is seeking a formal response from the Gautrain Management Agency and plans to request an urgent parliamentary committee briefing.
The party also intends to seek an oversight visit to the Midrand depot.
Operating-licence concerns raised
ActionSA said Mega Express had assured workers in writing that they would not be held responsible for penalties associated with outstanding licences.
The party maintains that such assurances would not resolve the underlying licensing concerns.
It argues that drivers could still face uncertainty if stopped by law-enforcement officers while operating vehicles without the required documentation.
The number of buses allegedly affected has not been established.
Neither has the total number of drivers who received dismissal notices.
ActionSA has called for those details to be disclosed as part of the proposed oversight process.
Dispute follows new Gautrain concession
The dispute comes shortly after Gauteng appointed Sihamba Sonke Mobility as the new concessionaire responsible for the Gautrain system.
The 15-year concession covers the operation, maintenance and refurbishment of the rail network and its integrated feeder-bus services.
The agreement runs from 2026 to 2041.
The Gauteng government has presented the new concession as an opportunity to improve reliability, modernise infrastructure and strengthen the passenger experience.
ActionSA argues that the transition should also address outstanding employment and operational-compliance concerns.
The party has called for protections for affected workers and confirmation that all buses operating on the network meet applicable licensing requirements.
Oversight response awaited
The dispute raises questions about the responsibilities of transport operators, provincial licensing authorities and the Gautrain Management Agency.
However, ActionSA’s allegations do not establish that the operator or provincial government has violated the law.
An official response and examination of the relevant licensing records would be required to determine whether irregularities occurred.
The party has indicated that it will raise the matter in the Gauteng Legislature if the dismissal notices are not withdrawn.
The next developments will depend on responses from Mega Express, the Gautrain Management Agency and the provincial Department of Roads and Transport.
