“There will be no disruption of bus services to the public” as a result of Putco’s cessation of service on eight contracted routes in Gauteng‚ the department of roads and transport said on Tuesday.

This differed from a government statement issued on Monday saying the termination of Putco services in Tshwane‚ Ekurhuleni and Sedibeng municipalities with effect from June 30‚ 2015 could “leave many commuters and residents stranded with no transport operations to get to work or schools”.

That statement said Autopax “will step in to replace Putco on all the subsidised routes within the areas”.

Tuesday’s statement described the contract with Autopax – “a state-owned entity and wholly owned subsidiary of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa)” as a “temporary‚ three-month contract ”.

Gauteng roads and transport MEC Ismail Vadi said there were “continuing discussions with Autopax with a view to concluding a more durable contract”.

“In the interests of the commuters‚ the public at large and continued service delivery in the affected areas‚ the department is obligated to facilitate the provision of alternative‚ subsidised road passenger transport.”

Vadi said Autopax will operate the bus routes on the same timetables and fares as Putco’s‚ but “appealed to commuters to be patient should there be any teething problems in the changeover of operators”.

The department on Tuesday acknowledged that there “is pending litigation between the department and Putco on whether or not the ‘new operator’ (ie Autopax) is obligated to take over Putco employees that worked on the tendered contracts”.

That matter was scheduled to be heard in court on Tuesday.