Frustrated Commuter

Good Morning

I take the 06h55 am bus from Elsies River to Cape Town in the morning that drives via Bishop Lavis (Driver: Mr. Botha). This is the only bus that I am able to take because it is the only one that drives down Owen road in the morning. By the time I get onto the bus in Owen road, the bus is already full and we are forced to stand. I don’t mind standing, however, if people are already standing once it reaches Owen road – just imagine how full the bus is by the time it reaches the last bus stop at Lavis Court.

Due to the train vandalism, it’s clear that the central line will not be receiving operational trains any time soon – therefore – please can you consider placing more busses on the Elsies River / City route. A longer bus will do as well.

Please understand that there are elderly people and people who are forced to take this bus because they need to get to work on time. Unfortunately, our people from previously disadvantaged communities, we do not have the flexibility to arrive at work at any given time and people are signing warnings and are being dismissed for not getting to work on time, hence, Mr Botha tries his best to accommodate everyone. I know this isn’t probably a wise thing to say since it is “The Bus for US”, however, the regular bus commuters are having to bear the consequences of trains not running and busses being full when it arrives at their stop.

I encourage you to have a look at the ticket sales for this route (Elsies-City) versus the amount of busses on this route, available seats and the people allowed to stand – if you do the Math then surely it doesn’t add up.

Further to the above, the busses in the evening, depart Cape Town already full and drive pass commuters in the Main Road (Woodstock, Salt river and Observatory). I wait at the KFC Bus Stop in Observatory from 16h30pm and I only end up getting a bus at 17h30pm. The 16h25 bus from Town is jam packed, as well as Oupa, Mapara and Kariem.

All I am asking is if you can please consider placing more busses on this route since we significantly depend on Golden Arrow. I do believe that the amount of Ticket Sales from this route will make up for the cost of adding another bus on this route.

I look forward to your response.