Based on recent customer reviews, Busbud draws sharp criticism from South African travellers over refunds and operator reliability. Many describe buses that never arrived at Park Station, Margate or Braamfontein, blocked Intercape routes still being sold, and long waits for money back. The Chester AI chatbot and unanswered phone lines leave passengers feeling stranded, while platform, WhatsApp and flexibility fees confuse buyers. Happier customers praise the easy app booking, timely emailed tickets, helpful agents such as Portia, and comfortable, punctual trips with operators like Eagle Liner.
Replied to 48% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 352h 40m
TrustIndex
3.5
Reply Time
352h 40m
NPS Score
-22
Recommended: Unlikely
Replied to 48% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 352h 40m
Nov '25 - Oct '26
Frequently Asked Questions About Busbud
What do customers say about Busbud?
Based on recent customer reviews, Busbud draws sharp criticism from South African travellers over refunds and operator reliability. Many describe buses that never arrived at Park Station, Margate or Braamfontein, blocked Intercape routes still being sold, and long waits for money back. The Chester AI chatbot and unanswered phone lines leave passengers feeling stranded, while platform, WhatsApp and flexibility fees confuse buyers. Happier customers praise the easy app booking, timely emailed tickets, helpful agents such as Portia, and comfortable, punctual trips with operators like Eagle Liner.
Is Busbud trustworthy?
Busbud has a TrustIndex of 3.5 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 39 reviews in the last 12 months. They reply to 48% of negative reviews, typically within 352 hours 40 min. Hellopeter has tracked Busbud across 275 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (39)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Mar 2026
Terrible Coach service
Booked a trip with Delta to Cape Town from *** and the experience was beyond awful. First the bus was late, then we were picked up by an unmarked bus in very poor condition with no explanation whatsoever. When we got to Komani, we had to switch from the unknown bus to a Delta coach. As if that's good, the actual Delta bus was over booked by 6 people and I was asked to sit on a mattress next to the driver. Imagine that kind of trip from Cape Town. That's literally overnight with other passengers standing. This is distasteful and I can't even find Delta on Hello Peter. Never ever again.
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2026
Terrible Coach service
Booked a trip with Delta to Cape Town from *** and the experience was beyond awful. First the bus was late, then we were picked up by an unmarked bus in very poor condition with no explanation whatsoever. When we got to Komani, we had to switch from the unknown bus to a Delta coach. As if that's good, the actual Delta bus was over booked by 6 people and I was asked to sit on a mattress next to the driver. Imagine that kind of trip from Cape Town. That's literally overnight with other passengers standing. This is distasteful and I can't even find Delta on Hello Peter. Never ever again.
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2019
Bad experience with Busbud
Dear Hello Peter Team, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding the poor service I received from Busbud and Intercity Xpress. On 13 September 2026, I booked a ticket through the Busbud app for travel from Scottburgh to Pretoria on 14 September 2026 (Ticket Number: ***, Confirmation: ***). The booking process was smooth, but when I fell ill and needed to cancel, I discovered it was impossible to do so. Despite multiple attempts: The phone number provided did not exist. The app repeatedly redirected me to the same invalid number. The chat support offered no resolution. I even emailed *** (attached copy) but received no assistance. The ticket terms state that cancellations can be made directly at the station or at least 24 hours before departure, yet Busbud provided no functional means to do so. This failure prevented me from exercising my right to cancel and obtain a refund. I therefore request that Hello Peter investigate this matter and ensure that Busbud refunds the full amount of ZAR 455.50, excluding any non-refundable booking fee, as I was unable to travel due to illness and was denied proper support. Attached are copies of my ticket, email correspondence, and contact details provided by Busbud. Sincerely, Gert Henning Cell: ***
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2019
Bad experience with Busbud
Dear Hello Peter Team, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding the poor service I received from Busbud and Intercity Xpress. On 13 September 2026, I booked a ticket through the Busbud app for travel from Scottburgh to Pretoria on 14 September 2026 (Ticket Number: ***, Confirmation: ***). The booking process was smooth, but when I fell ill and needed to cancel, I discovered it was impossible to do so. Despite multiple attempts: The phone number provided did not exist. The app repeatedly redirected me to the same invalid number. The chat support offered no resolution. I even emailed *** (attached copy) but received no assistance. The ticket terms state that cancellations can be made directly at the station or at least 24 hours before departure, yet Busbud provided no functional means to do so. This failure prevented me from exercising my right to cancel and obtain a refund. I therefore request that Hello Peter investigate this matter and ensure that Busbud refunds the full amount of ZAR 455.50, excluding any non-refundable booking fee, as I was unable to travel due to illness and was denied proper support. Attached are copies of my ticket, email correspondence, and contact details provided by Busbud. Sincerely, Gert Henning Cell: ***
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2011
Cannot get a refund on a trip for tomorrow
Terrible service. I booked my tickets and then I tried to cancel them for refund. All of a sudden it says that I cannot get a refund, or change my dates of travel. Which makes no sense at all because the website stated that you can cancel up to 1 hour before travel at a cost of R100. NOW all of a sudden, it says no cancellation of refund or change of travel dates is allowed. Im beyond upset. My dad has just lost his brother and this is the bs we must deal with. Have some humanity
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2011
Cannot get a refund on a trip for tomorrow
Terrible service. I booked my tickets and then I tried to cancel them for refund. All of a sudden it says that I cannot get a refund, or change my dates of travel. Which makes no sense at all because the website stated that you can cancel up to 1 hour before travel at a cost of R100. NOW all of a sudden, it says no cancellation of refund or change of travel dates is allowed. Im beyond upset. My dad has just lost his brother and this is the bs we must deal with. Have some humanity
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2018
Refund on cancellation of bus tickets
We are extremely disappointed with Busbud.After numerous phone calls and emails we have still not received our refund for cancellation on tickets done on the 2nd of July.We have send all the information and proof of our banking details and a statement to proof that the money has not been paid in.We also send cancellation and ticket numbers through.Until nothing has been done to reimburse us .This is unacceptable.Sylvia from Busbud said that the money will be paid back.Nothing has happened.
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2018
Refund on cancellation of bus tickets
We are extremely disappointed with Busbud.After numerous phone calls and emails we have still not received our refund for cancellation on tickets done on the 2nd of July.We have send all the information and proof of our banking details and a statement to proof that the money has not been paid in.We also send cancellation and ticket numbers through.Until nothing has been done to reimburse us .This is unacceptable.Sylvia from Busbud said that the money will be paid back.Nothing has happened.
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2026
**** (I want my money)
****, so easy to take your money for trips that don’t even exist and fail to refund and make you speak to a stupid bot that cannot assist you because it’s damn programmed… update it then to deal with real life damn issues I’m a frustrated single mother who feels ****med by Busbud as I have been requesting a refund of over 2k for months for a trip they opened for and intercape had blocked it due to road closures and also make sure you hire a better admin or whatever person who should be in contact with all the stakeholders daily to align with what’s advertised or you can hire me then I can definitely help you with customer service because your right now sucks….. this is the first one in my being that I had to sit at this time and fight for my money
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2026
**** (I want my money)
****, so easy to take your money for trips that don’t even exist and fail to refund and make you speak to a stupid bot that cannot assist you because it’s damn programmed… update it then to deal with real life damn issues I’m a frustrated single mother who feels ****med by Busbud as I have been requesting a refund of over 2k for months for a trip they opened for and intercape had blocked it due to road closures and also make sure you hire a better admin or whatever person who should be in contact with all the stakeholders daily to align with what’s advertised or you can hire me then I can definitely help you with customer service because your right now sucks….. this is the first one in my being that I had to sit at this time and fight for my money
1 reviews | Active since Feb 2015
Satisfied
Satisfied so far, the disappointments have been from the bus companies directly and not the platform.
1 reviews | Active since Feb 2015
Satisfied
Satisfied so far, the disappointments have been from the bus companies directly and not the platform.
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2026
Busbud ****, *****ulent and very decieving
booked a ticket for partner for the 7th of August 2026 the departure was at 17:00 no bus showed up, the ticket stated that departure would be at powerhouse bus station in Johannesburg braamfontain. The security guards said that there arent any buses moving on this day, all their lines of communication are useless because no one picks up or responds. There was no notification of whether the bus was delayed or not arriving at all. Now I'm failing to get a refund. Bubud services are horrible and very disheartening
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2026
Busbud ****, *****ulent and very decieving
booked a ticket for partner for the 7th of August 2026 the departure was at 17:00 no bus showed up, the ticket stated that departure would be at powerhouse bus station in Johannesburg braamfontain. The security guards said that there arent any buses moving on this day, all their lines of communication are useless because no one picks up or responds. There was no notification of whether the bus was delayed or not arriving at all. Now I'm failing to get a refund. Bubud services are horrible and very disheartening