KZN learner transport programme faces budget shortfall despite R364 million allocation

Road Traffic Inspectorate officials inspect a scholar transport bus in KwaZulu-Natal. The KZN Department of Transport has allocated R364 million for the learner transport programme.

Despite a budget allocation of R364 million for KwaZulu-Natal’s learner transport programme, the KZN Department of Transport (DoT) said this was not enough.

Siboniso Duma, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, delivered his department's budget speech for the 2026/27 financial year at the KZN Legislature on Thursday.

The DoT's overall budget is approximately R13.94 billion, with R9.2 billion designated for transport infrastructure.

The department stated that the learner transport programme required an estimated budget of R551 million. Currently, the DoT provides learner transport to 433 learners in KZN, and the total number of learners transported to and from school is 77,369.