Citybug’s officially 30 years old!

Born at the dawn of South Africa’s democracy, Citybug Shuttle Service celebrates three decades of excellent service this year, connecting the Lowveld with 34 destinations on a daily basis.

Citybug started in 1994 as a mere local taxi operator in Nelspruit. For the first two or three years, it operated small three- and four-wheel vehicles, before expanding to a small Toyota Tazz fleet in 1996. At this time, it operated very limited routes, only travelling once a day to Gauteng.

They would leave Mbombela at 06:00, stop in Pretoria, Johannesburg and at OR Tambo International Airport before returning to Mbombela by 20:00 that evening.

Not long after the Tazzes were added, Citybug acquired a Volkswagen Kombi, too, which would carry out the trips to Gauteng.

In the early 2000s, its minibus fleet grew to include a Mazda Marathon and then a Mercedes Sprinter. When the first Toyota Quantums rolled out in 2004, Citybug would not be caught sleeping, and jumped at the opportunity.

Over time, it further expanded its fleet, piece by piece, to the point where it now operates 22 semi-luxury buses that range in seating capacity from 13 right up 60 seats.

Its routes and points of operations have also expanded significantly. Other than Mbombela, which is home to its headquarters, it also has bases in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Durban. It has seven departure times daily from Mbombela to Johannesburg, five a day from Bloemfontein to Johannesburg and three a week between Durban and Mbombela.
Citybug’s co-founder, Jacques Esterhuizen, touched on what he feels has allowed Citybug to remain relevant for the last 30 years.

“You need to always look at and focus on the needs of the people,” he said, adding that they have also managed to remain one of a kind over the years. “We are often copied, but we’ve never been mastered. Citybug is a trendsetter and people try to follow us from there.”

Another aspect that has helped Citybug remain relevant is that it doesn’t turn a blind eye to helping anyone who might need it.

“It’s important to help those in need. We always try and see where we can,” Esterhuizen said.

Reach Citybug’s Mbombela office on 0861 33 44 33 or 087 537 1444.

Citybug Shuttle Services commemorated its 30th anniversary with a special celebratory event on November 2.

Lowvelders and associates of the company joined the Citybug family at its headquarters to celebrate.

John Rock Prophet entertained guest of the event with his musical prowess as they could enjoy tales of years gone by from the co-founder, Jacques Esterhuizen.

“We take the utmost care in delivering customers safely to their families and loved ones while providing exceptional service and an outstanding experience on any of our routes. This is what we strove for from the beginning and we are glad it has come to pass,” said Esterhuizen during his speech.

The best in town

Lowveld Media hosts the annual Best of Mbombela Awards every year and Citybug has been voted the best shuttle service for 10 years running.

More than just usual business

Citybug is the official transport partner of the Pumas rugby team, as well as for the Innibos Nasionale Kunstefees. They further help transport a variety of schools when called upon to do so.

Multiple bus options

Three Citybug buses depart Mbombela at 06:00. Then one bus during each time slot: 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 18:00, totalling eight buses a day. Further there are three buses departing Bloemfontein a day – one at 06:00, 08:30 and 10:00. There are also three buses per week between Durban and Mbombela. You can also privately charter Citybug too, specifically for your needs.

A sizeable fleet

Citybug now operates 22 semi-luxury buses as part of its fleet. These buses vary in seating capacity, with eight different seating capacity sizes. These are 13, 22, 32, 35, 37, 40, 53 and 60. Citybug also offers express shuttles in four-wheel sedans in both Mbombela and Bloemfontein.

Various destinations

Citybug has transported people to 124 different destinations over the years and regularly operates between 35 of them. They are also able to carry out cross-border transport upon request, so long as they are given time to obtain a cross-border permit.

Vast passenger numbers

Having started out transporting just over 10 000 people per month, Citybug now transports more than 100 000 people a month. They have also over the years transported more than 1.5 million passengers, and they’re fast approaching the two million mark.

A different start

When the company started in 1994 it was known by a different name – Three Wheels Enterprise. Citybug was merely the company’s trading name until 1996 when it became the company’s official name.