Buscor Driver Wellness initiative steering Mpumalanga towards safer roads

By Kopano Dibakwane

Every morning, thousands of workers, learners, and commuters across Mpumalanga step onto Buscor buses, entrusting their lives to the men and women behind the steering wheel.

While passenger safety is often discussed in terms of vehicle maintenance and traffic enforcement, a joint initiative in Mbombela is putting a human face on road safety, focusing directly on the health, well-being, and mental readiness of the drivers themselves.

The MEC for Mpumalanga DPWRT (Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport), Thulasizwe Thomo, joined forces with Deputy Minister of Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, for the Buscor Road Safety and Driver Wellness Initiative in Mbombela, on Wednesday 14 October 2026, as part of October Transport Month.

The long standing Buscor company in Mpumalanga has long served as a vital lifeline for commuter transport across the province, connecting communities and driving local socio-economic growth.

However, long hours on busy roads can take a physical and mental toll on public transport operators.

By integrating comprehensive wellness check-ups, health screenings, and safety training into daily operations, the driver wellness program reportedly recognises that a well-supported driver is the first and most effective line of defense against road accidents.

MEC For public works roads and transport in Mpumalanga, Thulasizwe Thomo said they try by all means in making sure that his department get best contractors in making sure that they build good, entrusted roads

“This performance exceeds both the national target and the average reduction recorded nationally. While this progress is commendable, we continue to remain committed to intensifying road safety interventions to further reduce crashes and save lives in particular for our public transportation,” said Thomo.

The collaborative push comes at a time when local road safety interventions are showing tangible, lifesaving results.

Speaking to Emsamo News Buscor PRO Thomas Lubisi said they were happy in hosting the minister as well as the MEC and not only that but also that they were part of the passengers to witness the smoothness and safety of their busses.

” As a company, we pride ourselves on our buses. Having both the Minister as well as the MEC on board means a lot. As Buscor we make sure that all our buses are on standard and meet all road standards in making sure of the safety of our passengers. As a company we don’t only focus on busses only, but passenger safety is one major priority as a company”, he said

Recent performance data reveals that crash reduction rates across the province have exceeded both the national target and the average reduction recorded across the country.

Recent safety interventions in the public transport sector have yielded tangible progress, with regional road incident reductions outperforming national averages. However, government officials emphasised that progress is not a signal to relax, but a reason to intensify measures.

October was initiated by the Department of Transport as Transport month in raising awareness and the import role in the economy and buses providing a safer, affordable and accessible reliable transport in all provinces.

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