Verbally abused by the Greyhound bus driver.

Today 2026/04/21

I booked a bus with Greyhound from Pietermaritzburg to Johannesburg. I frequently use their busses and as usual the bus was late., But today worse then being late as always, i was humiliated and verbally abused by the driver and his assistance

I booked two tickets because i am travelling with my son. I know you cant reserve seats on the bust so when i arrived at the bus station i spoke to the lady at resection when i was checking in. I told her that i am travelling with my son who is two years old and we need to be seated together in the bus, can she please reserve two seats for me. She told me she cant do that because the bus is coming from Durban and there are already passengers in the bus. She said what she will do is let me get in the bust first find a seat first then load my luggage after. I did exactly that. There were no double seats available and as i was making my way back to let her know, the bus started moving. I told the driver that i have not loaded my bag yet and oh my gosh it was like i told them i had killed someone. They started screaming at me shouting at me asking why i had left my bag i tried to explain that the lady at reception had given me these instruction but they didn't care. They told me i should ask her to get my bag. The driver was shouting at me telling me that the bus cant reverse and i should get off run back to get my bag screaming at me that they are late, mind you the bus was due to depart at 10:05 but they only arrived around 10:30. All of this is happening while my two year old son is standing there looking at his mother being verbally abused by these two men. My son looked so traumatized, sacred and confused.

Anyway i get off the bus to get my bag. upon returning i inform the assistant driver that there are no double seats and i booked two tickets for myself and my son and we obviously have to seat together. This cold hearted man told me that i should get in the bus and i have to be the one who walks around asking passengers to shift and make room for me and my son. I asked him to be the one who does that and he said no.

I went in and started asking passengers if they could swap seats as if i was not humiliated enough. luckily a kind gentlemen agreed to make room for us.

we took our seats and this old s**** of metal is boiling HOT!!! i don't know if the aircons are not working but i as i am typing in the bus right now, i am dripping in sweat. I cant even ask for the aircon because i am obviously sacred of these men who were shouting at me like I'm an idiot.

This bus is not child friendly. If you are travelling with children just know that you are a huge inconvenience to them and i regret booking this bus. Greyhound has really gone to the dogs. The service is so pathetic, the bus is so old and uncomfortable i am shocked they are allowed to operate.

This has been the worst traveling experience form me but much worse for my young son who didn't deserve to experience his mother being abused in that manner by two grown men. I am disgusted and wonder if these men have wives or children and really feel for them if this is how they treat women and children. Its men like them that contribute to the high gender abuse in South Africa.

I am expecting a formal apology from these men, Greyhound and the receptionist in the next five days. if not please note that i will be laying formal verbal abuse chargers against the company and these men.

I will make sure that i take the bus number and registration number as soon as i get off.

This is unacceptable