MULBARTON – A Mulbarton resident said, “The only bus we Mulbarton passengers can catch is the number 49. We have no alternative, as this is the only bus available to us. I try and catch the number 49 bus back from town every weekday but because of other selfish commuters who can catch other buses to Turffontein but keep on catching the number 49 bus, which goes via Turffontein to Mulbarton, myself and other passengers get left behind.”
According to this angry Mulbarton resident, commuters push and shove their way onto the bus regardless of the people before them who have been queuing. “The bus driver does try to get some order but to no avail. Most of these selfish passengers all get off in Turffontein and should rightly catch the number 18 bus.
“Not only do we have to contend with all the pushing and shoving before we can try and board a bus but also with the complete lack of commitment displayed by Metrobus personnel.
“Recently, while waiting once again for a bus in Ghandi Square, I asked one of the bus drivers what had happened to the 17:00 number 49 bus. His answer was, ‘the bus broke down.’ I asked about the 17:20 bus and why that also didn’t arrive, same answer ‘broke down.’ This was a blatant lie, the bus was so overloaded with number 18 bus passengers, the driver couldn’t let any Mulbarton passengers on to the bus,” said the frustrated woman.
The woman and other Mulbarton commuters eventually only caught a bus at 18:00, with a wait of over an hour and a quarter!
She said, “I challenge Metrobus management to join the frustrated number 49 bus passengers on a ride that can only be likened to hell,” concluded the Mulbarton resident.
Comment
Spokesperson for Metrobus, Esther Dreyer, comments after a discussion with the operations manager from Village Main Depot (the depot responsible for trips in the South of Joburg).
“At present Metrobus does have a challenge in terms of the availability of buses. The City Council has approved the purchase of new buses; the tender has been advertised but not yet awarded.
“We are aware of problems with overloading, crowding, especially when trips are running late due to bus availability, therefore superintendents, inspectors and managers from head office are doing random checks on all buses, on all routes, since February.
“Drivers have picked new shifts which will be implemented as from 1 April 2014. With the new shift allocation, management is attempting to address problems such as the bus shortage, overloading, late/non-arrivals. Despite our numerous challenges, Metrobus remains committed to improving the bus service provided to residents of the Greater Jhb area.
“Our call centre is available 011 375 5555
011 375 5555 Option 6. Complaints about our bus service are logged and reference numbers are given. These complaints are processed and sent to the relevant depots and departments. Passengers are also welcome to contact head office 011 403 4300011 403 4300,” concluded Dreyer.
