City throws down Exodus challenge to long distance operators

19 December 2024

Statistics for the first five days of the annual safety project shows that minibuses make up just a fraction of the total vehicles tested. With another expected rush on the roads towards Christmas, the City appeals to those operators to step up for their free vehicle safety checks.

Operation Exodus launched on Friday, 13 December 2024 offers free vehicle safety checks to long distance operators before they leave Cape Town’s city limits.

Where defects are detected, drivers are informed and advised to attend to the issue. They are able to have the vehicle retested afterwards.

In the first five days, vehicle examiners checked 664 vehicles – 555 buses, one midi bus, 55 minibuses and 53 trailers – with a 94% pass rate.

‘Traffic volumes will increase again this weekend in the days leading up to Christmas, as holidaymakers head to their destinations. The objective is to get everyone there, and back, safely, and I can’t imagine a single road user who wouldn’t want that outcome. Apart from responsible driving behaviour, vehicle fitness is key. We have the means to help you check that your vehicle can go the distance, so I challenge long distance operators to make use of the opportunity. This is not a punitive process, and it is free, so do take a little time out of your day to find some peace of mind,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman Smith.

Operation Exodus venues are Joe Gqabi, Bellville, Cape Town station and the Intercape Bus Depot, until 24 December.

As part of the project, the City’s Traffic Service heads up vehicle checkpoints in the vicinity of public transport interchanges to check vehicles leaving the city.

To date, they have stopped 466 vehicles and issued 3 443 fines for various transgressions.

The most common transgressions have been persons not wearing seatbelts; unlicensed motor vehicles and overloading.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office