Ann Luthi writes,
We have not had bad service for the past months (except for the R5 business), however since last week, we’ve suddenly had no buses and when we phoned the depot they said that the service had been terminated.
One of the ladies had the regular drivers cell number, contacted him and he said no there was a bus coming.I cannot understand how the depot says the service is cancelled and the bus driver says the bus is coming!!!
Then on Monday we had a new bus driver (compliments on an honest driver-no R5’s were taken and people had to pay the proper
price) on the 420 who was doing the morning (0715 from Randburg to Westgate) and he would also do the afternoon shift.
That afternoon the bus broker down , a block away from us at Gordon and Ontdekkers, contacted the depot and Joburg contact and they advised us a replacement bus was coming , well eventually we walked down to the broken bus and sat with the driver as it was getting very cold. At 1735 the replacement bus arrived.
The above can happen and is not the bus drivers fault( bad maintenance). The following morning our bus was at the terminus and we left on time, when we got near Albertsville, the bus stopped and the driver advised us that we had to get off the bus as the bus coming from Westgate had no power and he was to take us and the bus to the depot.
I was really upset by then as I would be late for work, can you imagine it was the same bus that had broken down the afternoon before, we crawled along Ontdekkers and eventually got to work
What kind of maintenance is done if a bus which broke down is on the route the next morning and is used to transport passengers. This is disgusting service.
Yesterday afternoon the bus only turned up at 16.35 and should be at our stop at 16.00.
When is Metrobus going to do something about the terrible bus service. Rea Veya and Gautrain seem to have buses . Why does Metro not have? Is there not money in the budget or is disappearing in someone’s pocket?
Editor’s note: Letter published unedited.
