Long-time Greyhound passengers believe it will now be difficult for them to find an alternative bus operator to match its high standards.
Greyhound announced on Wednesday that its services will run until Sunday and it will shut shop afterwards due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mark Chulu, 48, a self-employed sales marketer in Bellevue, Johannesburg, said the imminent closure of Greyhound operations was a big setback for him and other passengers who relied on it for so long.
“We don’t understand why the government cannot intervene. How are the masses supposed to travel to their respective places, be it home or wherever around the country?” asked Chulu.
Chulu, who uses Greyhound to go as far as Durban, the Eastern Cape and Limpopo, said he used the bus for business purposes.
“My option now is to use alternative buses. I am not really a taxis fan. I might use them if I don’t have an option,” he said.
Givemore Sibanda, 40, from Durban, said the closure of Greyhound will deprive passengers of proper customer care.
“The guys [Greyhound] are good in terms of customer care. They keep time, they are reliable and don’t have breakages along the way. They are very efficient and professional. So, for them closing down is really a loss for us customers,” said Sibanda.
Sipho Nemasetoni, 30, who has worked as a porter at the Johannesburg Park Station, said: “As porters we help many Greyhound passengers carry and offload their luggage and some of them who sometimes go as far as Zimbabwe are now going to find it difficult to get other travelling options."
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.