The Gauteng Provincial Government in South Africa has launched a new digital platform aimed at speeding up the processing of public transport operating licences and addressing a long-standing backlog in the province.

The Gauteng Public Transport Regulatory Information System, known as GPTRIS, was officially launched on Tuesday, with e-hailing services receiving particular attention under the new system. The platform is designed to modernise the licensing process, improve transparency and allow applicants to track the progress of their applications.

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, said e-hailing operators would be prioritised as the government seeks to ensure that operators comply with licensing requirements. She urged e-hailing drivers to come forward, apply for the required licences and regularise their operations.

According to the Gauteng transport department, the system is expected to help tackle an operating-licence backlog that dates back as far as 2009. The department said GPTRIS would also introduce self-service applications, digital payments, automated processing and real-time tracking of applications when fully implemented.

South Africa formally recognised e-hailing as a separate category of public transport under the National Land Transport Amendment Act and accompanying regulations that came into operation in September 2025. The framework requires e-hailing operators to obtain operating licences, while platform providers and applications are also subject to registration requirements.

The regulations also set out safety and compliance requirements for e-hailing services. Drivers must hold the relevant driving licence and professional driving permit, provide the required criminal-record documentation, while vehicles must have panic buttons and appropriate markings identifying them as e-hailing vehicles.

The Gauteng government said the digital licensing system is part of its wider effort to improve regulatory compliance, reduce administrative delays and strengthen oversight of public transport. The department said the platform would also improve the accuracy of licensing records and make the process more accessible to operators across the province.