Author:bazil-govender

SABOA collaborates to promote safety and recognise bus drivers March 14, 2023 This year, some key initiatives will bring the bus and coach industry’s critical role and contribution to the forefront. BAZIL GOVENDER highlights the fact that these projects will recognise bus drivers and promote safety. SABOA has actively collaborated with partners Commercial Transport Academy (CTA), MasterDrive, and Clarendon Transport Underwriters (CTU) to endorse and support three key initiatives for the industry. As the voice of the bus and coach […]

Is it time for change? February 16, 2023 This month, the Southern African Bus Operators’ Association (SABOA) hosted a two-day bus and coach industry strategy workshop at the Lakes Hotel and Conference Centre, Benoni. BAZIL GOVENDER explains that the purpose of the workshop was to answer this question: is it time to do something different? The blended event was well supported and attended by a range of members and industry stakeholders, both in person and virtually via Zoom and YouTube […]

What does 2023 hold for the bus and coach industry? January 16, 2023 https://focusontransport.co.za/wp-content/uploads/speaker/post-24917.mp3?cb=1677567947.mp3 After nearly three decades of uncertainty and the last three years of extreme duress, could 2023 finally be the turning point for the bus and coach sector? BAZIL GOVENDER shares his New Year wish list of issues to navigate in order for the sector to succeed. For this ‘Damascus moment’ (a sudden, radical change in attitude, perspective, or belief) to bring hope and relief to millions of […]

Inefficient public transport systems affect more than just the economy December 5, 2022 An efficient and integrated public transport system is vital for South Africa. It will do so much more than just ease the ills and frustrations of the daily traffic congestion on our roads, says BAZIL GOVENDER. Sustainable and affordable public transport is not only critical to minimising the cost of congestion but also has a direct correlation to improved economic growth. Accessibility to transport means access to […]

Bus and coach industry calls for a superhero November 9, 2022 In this open letter to the Minister of Transport, BAZIL GOVENDER lays out the need for an ongoing and proactive relationship between his ministry and the bus and coach industry. Honourable Minister Fikile Mbalula, Oh ye who leads us forth – fearing nothing in the battle to fix everything in transport. The bus and coach industry remains deeply indebted to you for making the time for a brief flirtation […]

A feel-good story from the bus and coach industry September 30, 2022 Some SABOA members are adding value – and they’re not just paying lip service to the concept. BAZIL GOVENDER reports on one such member. After a career as a bus driver starting in 1974 at BTH, Simon Mphahlele founded Valuader Transport in 1996. The company initially entered the public transport sphere through the operation of a subsidised commuter bus contract on behalf of the National Department of Transport. Valuader, […]

South Africa’s bus and coach sector is running out of road August 24, 2022 The bus and coach industry is eroding under pressure. As BAZIL GOVENDER reports, government intervention is urgently needed. SABOA has been canvassing the Ministry and National Department of Transport for well over two years for a Bus Indaba, but no success nor commitment for engagement at this level has been forthcoming. During this period (and for the prior decade) the bus and coach industry has slid […]

Golden Arrow Bus Services pioneers electric buses in South Africa August 4, 2022 Golden Arrow Bus Services is leading the environmental charge with fully electric buses, as BAZIL GOVENDER reports. Golden Arrow’s remarkable renewable energy contribution started in 2017 with the pilot installation of two solar plants, each with a kilowatt peak of 25 kWp. The results were encouraging and ultimately led to two of the company’s facilities being declared carbon neutral in 2020, when the relevant depots became net […]

Bus and coach industry under threat! July 6, 2022 The bus and coach industry has been subjected to an ongoing, systematic, and coordinated attack, writes BAZIL GOVENDER. The draft revised white paper on National Transport Policy states that the vision for South African transport has been reconfirmed and reformulated as follows: “Provide safe, reliable, effective, efficient, environmentally benign and fully integrated transport operations and infrastructure that will best meet the needs of freight and passenger customers, improving levels of service […]

Bringing the industry together again May 30, 2022 SABOA is recognised as the voice of the bus and coach industry. The annual SABOA Conference, Dinner, and Exhibition are hallmark events steeped in tradition. They also serve to showcase industry offerings whilst positioning critical issues at play within the industry, as BAZIL GOVENDER explains. The SABOA Conference has always been billed as one of the country’s most important events for bus passenger public transport. Delivered from a bus and coach perspective, […]