Hammanskraal — Thousands of commuters in Hammanskraal and neighbouring Pretoria townships are set to get a temporary reprieve as the Gauteng and North West provincial governments move to restore North-West Transport Investment (NTI) bus services in a phased return.
Officials to announce plan in Hammanskraal
The resumption is due to be announced at an event in Hammanskraal where the Premiers of both provinces will be joined by the provincial MECs responsible for transport. The move follows the suspension of NTI services after subcontractors withdrew buses because of ongoing non-payment, salary delays and the operator’s broader financial difficulties while under business rescue.
According to the Gauteng provincial government, preparation for a phased restart has already made “significant progress”, with teams working on employee engagement, subcontractor coordination, passenger communication and security arrangements. Officials have also been preparing fleet repositioning, operational planning and restoration of ticketing systems.
Where commuters can expect relief
The phased return is expected to affect routes serving Hammanskraal and surrounding areas, including parts of Pretoria and adjacent communities where commuters rely on NTI services for daily travel. The provinces say the restoration will prioritise routes with the greatest need while operational and contractual matters are finalised.
| Primary affected areas | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hammanskraal | Site of official announcement; major commuter hub |
| Atteridgeville | Listed as among areas to receive services |
| Mabopane | Expected to benefit from phased resumption |
| Mamelodi | Included in planned restoration coverage |
Why services collapsed
NTI’s suspension followed subcontractors withdrawing their buses amid unpaid salaries, reports of delayed payments affecting more than 1,500 employees, and long-running financial and governance problems. The entity is under business rescue and has also been challenged by complaints over an ageing fleet.
North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi emphasised the interprovincial nature of the service and the responsibility felt by both governments to act. He noted the North West government owns NTI but that the entity provides commuter services into Gauteng.
“This entity belongs to the North West Government but provides a commuter service to Gauteng, especially in and around Pretoria.”
What the phased return will involve
- Cooperation with subcontractors to bring buses back into service;
- Re-establishing ticketing systems and fleet repositioning;
- Security arrangements to protect passengers and assets; and
- Communication with passengers about restored routes and timetables.
Provincial officials say these measures are intended as a temporary lifeline while longer-term governance and financial solutions are pursued. More detailed timelines and guarantees about the sustainability of restored services were not provided in initial statements.
Impact on commuters and next steps
Commuters in affected areas have faced sudden disruption, with regular travellers forced to seek alternative, often costlier or slower, transport options. The phased reintroduction of services aims to reduce immediate hardship while the provinces continue to negotiate with business rescue practitioners, subcontractors and employees.
Both provinces will likely face pressure to provide a durable resolution — one that secures salaries, addresses fleet maintenance and clarifies the long-term governance of NTI. For now, residents are advised to watch for official announcements from the Hammanskraal event detailing which routes will restart and when ticketing and timetables will be restored.
Further updates are expected following the joint announcement by the two Premiers and the MECs for transport.
