Golden Arrow Bus Services [GABS]
Reviews and Complaints

I told the bus driver that the bus is full as all the seats were occupied. Although there were people standing in the aisle, he pointed to the sign in the bus which says '67passengers.' I asked about social distancing when he replied that the people managing this transpt system don't care about social distancing. He added that he past a stop in Wynberg when he was stopped by an inspector who asked why he never picked those passengers up.

Bus no:44776, Time: 12:45 Tuesday 6/07/2021, Route City passing Govan Mbeki Road and I got onto the bus behind Crossroads Clinic. Myself and my 5 other vulnerable younger siblings stopped the bus driven by a light skin lady, as the doors were opening I held the kids together arranging them to get onto the bus first so she could count them as they are walking in.

Barely two seconds of arranging them she got up from her chair and asked "should I leave you or what" (aggressively) and I responded and said "why would you leave when we are getting onto the bus"?. This driver took her mast off and started yelling at me.

She literally shouted and yelled at me as if I was illiterate. I have never seen such outrageous anger and abuse in my whole life. I asked her to calm down and the next thing the whole bus started attacking us and it was this and that and we just got scared and confused at the same time.

My younger siblings were shaking from trauma and we finally paid for 5 people as the youngest was only 3 years. This lady needs to be reprimanded and I can tell that she is one of the reasons we have got kids fearing to go back to school, fearing travelling by bus, dropping out of school before time.

This behaviour will lead loads of students, young adults and everyone in this country to depressing and intense anger. Golden arrow need to get rid of inhuman and insensitive drivers and bring considerate, polite and warm drivers.

Yesterday 02/07/21 on my way home from work, I took a turn under the bridge to join the way to Mitchells Plain at about 5h26 a golden arrow driver with registration CA55791 come closer to my car as I needed to turn and its 1 car line he covered and shield me I could not see cars coming through so that I could jump if I had a chance, when I hooter him he showed me a middle finger I was shocked I took my phone he continued and I had my colleague with me we were so disappointed and disturbed by the rude behavior of that man to swear at me because I hooter for him to stop what he was doing when I try to turn he come very close to MA car as if he wants to dent it I was in shock and other cars hooter at him 1 man drove closer to comfront he just show his finger as we drove he continued swearing with his middle finger until he stopped for a passenger I managed to escape his abuse on the road I have a Pic and the small video.

Bus nr.4789 drive pass us and we did stop him and this is unacceptable as its raining and everyone wants to get home.

I ran for the a 6:18 city bus coming passed the bus stop at the fire station in Mitchell's Plain. I made it in the nick while one more passenger was getting in, before I got in I was just reaching for mask when the driver closed the door on my foot. I got in and told him whether he was stupid to do that! Instead of apologizing he was telling me I need to wake up early, and telling me I will see tomorrow, I asked him whether he was threatening me, he said do I know what a threat is. This is pathetic, disgusting and I am going to take this further. The transport system is already inconsistent and now we have to still deal with rude drivers. I need something to be done with this driver. The inside of the bus has a number which is 1912.

On Friday, 21 May 2021 I was boarding bus number 4616 from Athlone to Makhaza. I walked in the bus with a R50 note and paid for my journey. The driver immediately rejected my money saying that he does not have change. I tried to reason with him by suggesting that he give me the ticket and later give me my change when I reach my destination. But he refused, and chased me away very rudely and said I must get off the bus. I immediately rushed to a nearby store to get change. Luckily when I got back the bus hadn't left because there still one or two people in line but as I got closer the driver closed the door and I had to run and force myself in a closing door. Which by the way would've hurt me physically. I boarded the bus and paid and the driver gave me my ticket. He didn't even apologize. But overall I arrived at my destination.

Good morning I have the problem this morning the bus 5069 left us at summer greens the time it was 7:30 it was going to century city the driver did not stop and it was raining .

Bus 1936 Rocklands bus. I got onto another bus after being refused entry by this driverof this bus not even 5min apart when he said my card was invalid. I got out of a town centre bus coming from airport industrial and change in Eisleben opposite Autozone. I showed him my ticket that shows my transfer that was left buthe said noinvalid and that i must get off. Please teacher drivers like this alternative ways to check if cards are invalid or just the system thats maby wrong. Also yesterday it happened to other 2 ladies also that got on at Clocktower.

On the 10th of May 2021 around 08:00 am. Driver 84454 driving Bus 4563 route KBS2
I had got off at Bellville Terminus to load my ticket when returning the driver was still loading people on my way to get in he Closed the door almost injuring my arm then he started shouting at me that why don't i use other buses however his bus was the only bus for my route. I then proceed to ask him for my slip and he ignored me while driving i asked him for the second time as i was still tapping my card and without explaining why my card does not give me slip he threatened to STOP the whole bus i do not get off. Meanwhile i already clipped one of rides on the machine.

This is not the first encounter with this driver however i did not know my day will be this earlier with him. there are videos of him mistreating people if this not fixed i will leak the videos online!

To whom is may concern!

I am an everyday passenger of the 1pm lost city bus that leaves Claremont! This is the only bus available for me and I depend on this bus. Today the bus was late and then then the driver has the Audacity not to stop for us! This is the second time this has happened. It's not fair of the drivers to try to make up their time by leaving passengers behind. Especially daily commuters who depend on certain busses at certain times.theirs also a certain driver that sometimes drive this bus and over charges us! He charges us a fee from Claremont (I board in landsdown) to lost city...

I would appreciate this matter being sorted out with this driver as this is unacceptable! I now have to stand along the road another hour and hope and pray that the next bus stops which is very inconvenient!

Good morning.

The City buses from Chukker Road starting from the 6:30 bus till to the 7:15 bus are always late. Yesterday 12/04/2021 from 6:45 till 6:30 there was no bus, it only came at 7:47 and it did not stop because it was full, then next one arrived at 08:00. Today 13/04/2021 from 6:30 till 7:00 there was no bus at all bus only arrived at 7:18. This started last week Tuesday the 06/04/2021, happened again Thursday 08/04/2021 now this week again. Could you please resolve the matter as it is starting to cost us commuters.

Thank you.

Good day

I get to the Bellville Bus Terminus at 17h00 Monday to Thursday. We have to wait till 18h10 to get a bus from Bellville to Makhaza via Route 1. Meanwhile busses are allocated to Makhaza via freeway and Harare. Most of those busses leaves the Terminus empty. Before we used to get a bus at 17h10 / 17h25 ( Via Driftsands) / 17h40 and 18h00. Can some of these busses please be reinstated. I'm complaining on behalf of all commuters that uses this bus services. You can send someone to come and assess our situation

I hope that this issue will be addressed as soon as possible.

Yours Sincerely
Patricia Majola
Cell [protected]

Yo whom it may concern!
My name is Valencia Barnett a regular passenger traveling from Strand to Cape Town.This morning on the 03/04/2021 a passenger boarded the bus without a mask but I left it as I wanted to see if she is gonna take one out to put on but it didn't happen.Upon asking her why she is not wearing mask she nonchalantly said I forgot mine because I changed bags, well that is in my eyes a very poor excuse as we're in this pandemic for over a year now.The driver responsible for this is driver 88216 and it was bus 4906.I expect that action will be taken against her it poses a huge risk for all the other passengers.Be assured that if I don't hear from you that you will definitely hear from me again.My number is [protected]
Thank you in advance

Attached, pic of bus (STEENBERG STATION) I travelled on from The Grand Parade in Cape Town to my destination in Heathfield, which left the Parade at +-17h00.
In the Main Road in Heathfield, my stop is at the Shell Garage...
I rang the Bell as usual to alert the driver in time of my destination.
He proceeded to drive past my stop and when I told him I rang the bell to get off at my stop, he became stroppy and told me I did not ring the Bell... But the passengers behind me all confirmed that I had rang the Bell, then he said that maybe that particular bell is not working.

Irrespective of the fact that the Bell is not working, I advised him that I'm getting off at the Shell Garage bus stop, when I noticed that he had no intention of stopping...

This led to an argument and he still refused to stop telling me that I will wait till the next stop, which is much further from my house than the Shell Garage. And to add fuel to fire, he tried to speed off when he saw me trying to take a picture of the bus number and registration number.

What angered me is that when the bell does not work, other drivers will stop to allow me or other passengers to get off at their respective bus stops or just immediately thereafter, then this fool tells me I AM NOT OTHER DRIVERS AND YOU WILL GET OFF WHERE I STOP THE BUS...

I had to walk an extra distance to my house, and this is upsetting as I DO NOT BUY MY MONTHLY CLIPCARD TO BE DROPPED OFF PAST MY HOUSE OR HAVING TO WALK AN EXTRA DISTANCE BECAUSE THE DRIVER HAS A STROPPY ATTITUDE.

The driver of the Retreat Bus, who was a short distance behind this particular bus, saw me take a picture of the bus and said he doesn't blame me as that particular driver is very rude towards his passengers, and I know this, as IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I WAS A PASSENGER ON THE BUS HE DRIVES... AND IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE EXPERIENCED HIS RUDENESS. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...

THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR ON THE DRIVER'S PART AND ALSO, UNACCEPTABLE THAT THE BELLS ARE NOT WORKING ON THE BUSSES... which leads to upset passengers and sometimes, like last night, RUDE drivers with no respect towards their passengers.

I WOULD IDEALLY LIKE ACTION TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THIS DRIVER, AS THIS IS HIS NORMAL BEHAVIOUR...

HE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO CUSTOMER SERVICE MANNERS...

AND I WANT AN UPDATE OF THE OUTCOME PLEASE...

My contact details : Mrs A Jonkers
Cell: [protected]
email : [protected]@gmail.com

I was waiting for a bus from Durban Road to Belville and as far as I am concerned all busses from Tyger valley to wherever goes via Belville. This was proven to be not true. I got into a Rocklands bus (5070) and discovered it was turning of onto the freeway and immediately jumped up and ask the driver to stop for I am going to Belville on route to Hanover Park. The driver simply refused and mentioned that he is not allowed to stop on a freeway and that he will drop me in Stikland, and area I absolutely know nothing about. He drove with me all the way to Mitchells Plain all through Rocklands and the towards the Town Centre. He then was approaching some robot and told me to jump out for there was a Claremont bus that I must go out and run too not caring if a vehicle would run into me. He dropped me off at Mitchells plain terminus and told me that I must find a conductor and explain to them and that I need to get home. This driver that was worried an hour ago that he cannot stop on a freeway dropped off hiss passengers at stops of their preferences and not bus stops. He ordered me to run over a highway and catch a bust that does not even pass my home. This driver was absolutely rude and did not care what happens to me seeing that he is the one who kept me in this situation. I would like him to be disciplined and to pay the money I had to borrow from other people.

I was waiting on the eindhoven bus that come from capetown, the bus stop I was at is in Woodstock... I waited on the bus for 50mins as the bus came on, I stopped it and the driver just looked at me then stopped afterwards a distance from me, when I ran to the bus, the driver decided to take off nd drove on.

I'm laying this complaint because I waited very long and that I have a gold card and no money on me to get home and I had to make another plan to get home.

The eindhoven bus passed by me @18:33

In Woodstock capetown

The 17:30 Cape Town to Kraaifontein via Buhrein bus does not drop us at the bus stop.
The bus driver was very rude when I asked him to drop us at the bus stop which is further in the estate. He told me he should get a call from management for him to come into Buhrein yet in the morning he picks us up in at our respective bus stops.
He currently drops us at the traffic circle which is very dangerous and often causes congestion

The bus stop in plumstead (immediately opposite FNB) I have noticed for two weeks flat, and by standing at different times. Only the 5.30 am bus stops to pick up people.

But between 6am and 7.20am 4 -6 buses will pass some with seating space.
We are mostly females standing in a badly lit bus stop who need to get to work.
The crime since lock down started has esculated near that stop.

This lack of buses stopping to pick us up for an hour plus is a logistical, Managerial issue and has nothing to do with Lockdown.

I noticed on more than one occasion the bus driver will refuse people on the bus even though there are seats for more than 10 people, because he is rushing to get on time in Cape Town.

Logistics again because of the number of buses not looked at and when at Retreat Station no supervisors to check buses have capacity to pick up along the roadside. I have a few suggestions.

I have noticed some passengers bully the driver into not stopping here, this occurred several times when I took the bus from Retreat, though I stay in Plumstead. I will attempt to photograph these drivers that have special passengers.

In the evening the same 20 people get into an unmarked bus and seconds before departing changes the sign to Steenberg and refuse passengers they don't know in that clique. I will attempt to photograph this particular driver. 12 of those passengers get off along the main road as a normal retreat bus. Do they tip this driver?

In the evening the Retreat bus queue is so long it can reach the library if it was a straight line. Some drivers tell us wait for next one, yet 20 plus could still be seated. Many elderly told to disembark because driver needs to go home or leave or another bus coming. Elderly cannot stand for hours! happens too frequently.

I understand your call center received numerous complaints from my community. No response.

I am happy to come in and discuss.

Id like a reference as I wish to write an article in the Cape Times, The Ward Councillors, Law enforcement, and do a interview on TV about how dangerous it is to stand at a Golden arrow bus stop as Women and watch 4 - 6 buses drive pass you, as you stand 1and half hours in the cold and rain.

I am Chantal Michael a mom, a Woman, an Essential worker.

Logistical mismanagement that should easily be addressed. This stops now!

People should know "Plumstead - Retreat Route is not offering an excellent service but there may even be corruption"

How do we as Women get to be your "special passengers" just to arrive at work on time?

Hi good afternoon to whom it may concern, I have a complain about a female bus driver from claremont enroute to mandalay the 11/06/20 05h10, she was extremely rude and very unprofessional, have no way of speaking. She gives other gabs drivers a bad name, ppl like her should be removed and not drive. I will never take that bus again period. I have always takennthat bus from claremont to hanover park and never had any issues with the deivers.

To whom it may concern

I am utterly disgusted and shocked by the driving style of this bus driver.

Bus number - A4744
Sunday afternoon - (26th Apr 2020 @13:42)
Lansdown road - (M9 near Site C train station)

This driver drove behind my vehicle so close in attempt to overtake 5 other cars in-front of mine, after his 2nd failed attempt of moving his bus in and out of the oncoming traffic lane he then goes for it with oncoming traffic closing in, the driver ends up in a position where he forces 2 vehicles of the 5 in front me off the road forcing them onto the yellow lane. I would not have attempted that overtake in my own car how much more in such a heavy slow bus! I can't imagine what risk that driver posed on innocent people who are abiding by the rules of the road, that road is +-2km of single way then after it splits into 4 lanes where both traffic can share 2lanes where your driver could have safely overtaked everyone else was patient how is it that the biggest & slowest vehicle sees an opportunity.

Golden arrow should discipline such acts of reckless driving how many people should get hurt because of naive drivers who can't think, a bus picks up & drops off passengers almost every bus stop why was he overtaking so many cars at once? We have family & friends driving in these vehicles & family & friends who uses the bus service while they were this close of getting hurt the driver will just go home to spit glass out of his mouth and carry on with his life!

Golden Arrow please you have came across 1 too many complaints regarding reckless driving of drivers please investigate and discipline incident details are above.