Stellenbosch students, who make up 40% of the passenger base of a daily bus service operating between George and Cape Town, are among those who will have to fork out more for their fares.
In response to the increase in the price of diesel on 1 April, the Langeberg Busdiens raised fares by R50 per single ticket. Ticket prices vary per destination. Previously it cost R530 to travel from Stellenbosch to George, now it is R580.
The Langeberg Busdiens bus arriving in Mossel Bay, where the company is based, after a long day on the road from Cape Town. PHOTO: Hae-Won Boesack
Despite the increase, passenger numbers have grown, though Stefan van Wyk, a driver for Langeberg Busdiens, said that this may be attributed to the recent long weekend. Van Wyk highlighted the high number of SU students using this service, with the company’s representative, Teneil Claassen, confirming that Stellenbosch is a popular spot.
According to Van Wyk, passengers had complained about rising fuel costs and were initially relieved that fares had not increased – although this has changed. Additionally, diesel prices are expected to rise to R40 per litre in May, reported News24.
The price of diesel per litre at a BP petrol station after the fuel hike from R20,30 to R28,35. PHOTO: Hae-Won Boesack
Alda Fick, a regular passenger, uses the service at least twice a year. She travels from Johannesburg to Cape Town and takes the bus to Riversdale, repeating the trip when returning. Fick prefers the bus because driving would exhaust her. “Ek ry ’n duisend kilos waarheen ek wil gaan,” [I travel a thousand kilometres to get where I want to go] said Fick.
However, Fick, whose husband is a farmer, remains hopeful that the diesel price will not rise further, and is also not concerned by the “slight” increase in bus fare.
The bus service operates every day, stopping in towns including Caledon, Buffelsjagsrivier, Grabouw, Robertson and Worcester. The price of diesel per litre after filling up the tank of the Langeberg Busdiens at the Shell garage in Mossel Bay at the end of the day. PHOTO: Hae-Won Boesack
Claassen said that though services will continue regardless of diesel costs rising, there is little margin for error and that stops may have to be reduced to shorten trips. She added that incorrect passenger estimates could lead to a bus allocation with the wrong number of seats and therefore add unnecessary costs. “We cannot have errors regarding final numbers of travelling, as our costs would exceed our income per trip,” said Claassen.
Despite ongoing economic pressure, Claassen said the company would try to keep increases to a minimum while also continuing to accommodate passengers.