Gautrans repayments of more than R41-million to North West Star and Atteridgeville Bus Services will ease job threats at these operators, trade union Solidarity said on Tuesday.

"Gautrans (the Gauteng Transport Department) still owes the companies approximately R74-million, with ABS the largest creditor," said union spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans.

He said no reason had been given for Gautrans' continued failure to pay the full amount.

"This negligence remains a threat to job security."

Kleynhans said Gautrans last week had only paid the companies R3.5-million.

He said the subsidy for April would soon be added to the overdue amount, landing "Gautrans even deeper in the red".

Last week Monday, Solidarity identified NWS and ABS as companies battling a "serious cash flow crisis" while awaiting payments from Gautrans.

At the time, Gautrans spokesperson Alfred Nhlapo said the delay in repayments was because funds had been exhausted.

Gautrans in April received the funds from the national department and was in the process of paying these out.

This, he said, had been conveyed to bus operators in January.

"There is no issue of a dispute between ourselves (Gautrans) and the bus operators.

Nhlapo said the department would also implement a new electronic monitoring system within the next few weeks.

He said the aim of the programme was to ensure that Gautrans was paying out subsidies for services rendered.

The bulk of the funds was currently being paid out to NWS, ABS and six other operators.

"It is a matter that we are seriously looking into because we need to ensure that public funds are disposed of with integrity," he said.

On Tuesday, Gautrans could not immediately be reached for comment.

Sapa