Tourism Update reader Shane Sampson, Owner and CEO of SAGS Tours, visited the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR) recently in an attempt to submit applications for his tourist operator transport licence.
His visit comes amid ongoing frustrations operators are facing in attempting to renew their licences.
He shared his experience with us:
“Following up as promised, I wanted to give you an update on my trip to the NPTR to submit the tourist transport permit applications, new accreditation and operating licences.
The short version is: The application process was extremely challenging and, despite spending the entire day at the NPTR, I left without a receipt and I am still waiting for confirmation.
I made absolutely sure to bring everything required for this second visit and then some! However, I encountered several new, frustrating obstacles, namely:
Certified documents: They introduced a new requirement for certified copies of the licence disc, vehicle eNaTIS documents and vehicles, which must be obtained from the bank financing the vehicles. Standard certified stamps were rejected, which the banks mailed so I had to ask the police station for certification.
Insurance documents: My proof of cover, even when certified, was initially rejected because the document did not have an expiry date. I had to immediately contact my insurer, rush to get a drafted letter and then race back to the police station for certification just to meet this requirement.
The process was excessively duplicated. The first official checked all documents and tax compliance – only for the supervisor to go through the exact same detailed check immediately afterwards. Given this level of scrutiny and double-checking on site, I personally feel they should have been able to print the operating licences and accreditation straight away.
I was the first person in line but ended up spending the entire day until closing time at the NPTR. Despite the effort, I walked away with no receipt because the ‘system was down’.
I contacted them yesterday to ask about the receipt I was promised and the turnaround time. Here is the frustrating response I received when querying the processing time.
Dear Applicant
Kindly note that the system is still down and the supervisor has assured me that the receipt will be sent before end of business today. The turnaround time for the whole process takes up to 60 to 90 days. However, due to delays and backlogs, the deciding committee works on ‘first-in-first-out’ basis. I hope I have managed to answer your questions.
Finally, please note that the application fees have increased and I had to pay the additional amount and email proof of payment on the spot.”
