Commuting frustrates users en masse

Metrobus commuters are complaining about the lack of punctuality and reliability of public transport, which results in passengers not reaching their destinations on time.

Fairland resident Geoff Quesnell has had just about enough of the Metrobus system.

“I have been using Metrobus for a very long time. I used to work in Braamfontein and took the bus every day but the system keeps on worsening as the years go by,” said Quesnell.

“The bus timetables look as though they have been edited about a thousand times. The diagram on the back is unintelligible. A Grade 2 pupil could do better. Shocking, shocking, shocking; how anybody has the nerve to call this a world-class city I do not know,” complained Quesnell.

Quesnell alleges that he has been left behind by two buses while waiting at the bus stop before and has waited hours on end for buses that do not come as per schedule. Quesnell is not the only one in this dire predicament.

“I depend on the bus to get to work, but even though I buy a monthly ticket, I have to ensure that I have taxi fare every day because sometimes the buses do not come and sometimes they come too late,” said Sithokozile Mbatha.

Alex Du Preez walks in the same shoes.

“I have had to walk to work before because the bus didn’t come and I didn’t have any money. The situation is so frustrating because we depend on the buses to go to work,” he said.

Metrobus is aware of the problems residents face.

“Currently, the main reason for the non-arrival or late arrival of buses from time to time, is our shortage of buses. Due to our ageing fleet, buses often experience breakdowns, causing delays and inconvenience to passengers,” said Metrobus spokesperson Esther Dreyer.

According to Dreyer, passengers are welcome to contact Metrobus to lay a complaint.

“If I am contacted with all relevant details, I will then refer the matter to the driver’s depot manager, who will discipline the driver and report back to the complainant,” she said.

Quesnell has, however, laid complaints numerous times, but according to him, these complaints fell on deaf ears.

“This is not even an average bus service. It is a very poor one at that. And it is a giant leap away from being anything close to a world-class bus service,” said a concerned Quesnell.

“I have heard nothing further from Mr Narain who is in charge of operations after him having said that my complaint would be addressed. He failed to say by when and by whom, totally unacceptable,” he added.

Dreyer, however, said Mr Narain is a general manager for the operations department, not customer service. Only serious cases will be referred to him, if necessary.

Details: edreyer@mbus.co.za or 011 403 4300.