The Public Utility Transport Corporation (PUTCO) provides commuter bus services in Gauteng, Limpopo and the western parts of Mpumalanga in South Africa. PUTCO was established in 1945 after the bus strike of 1944. The company was run by Jack Barregar and Tom Frith.
PUTCO is the only public passenger company previously listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange SA and has grown into the biggest commuter bus operator in the country. It operates 1,600 buses, employs just over 3,300 people and transports more than 230,000 commuters daily. PUTCO vehicles travel more than 90 million kilometres per year.
PUTCO began manufacturing special access buses in 2002. They are designed and operated in consultation with organizations that work with people with disabilities. It has a bad record regarding road safety. Numerous times it has been compelled to check all its vehicles for roadworthiness. PUTCO was involved in various fatal accidents on the Moloto road near Kameeldrift.
It has entered into a Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE), which is a deal affording African's meaningful participation in the transport industry. PUTCO is now 42.6% African owned, 11% of whom are women.