Warm buses welcome passengers
SNOW was little match for Rea Vaya buses, which are a warm ride for commuters in the bitter cold that is lashing Joburg. Stations offered some respite from the freeze too.
THE current cold spell wreaking havoc across Johannesburg has restricted travel for many residents, but for those using Rea Vaya buses to travel to and from work, it may as well be summer.
On Tuesday, 7 August, Joburg recorded one of its coldest days, with snow coating most parts of the city with pretty white frosting. In the CBD, people huddled in shop doorways and building entrances in a vain attempt to avoid the bitter cold.
But for Rea Vaya commuters, stations provided good shelter while they waited the few minutes for buses. “I’m glad I’m using Rea Vaya because they have shelter compared to the taxi industry, where you stand in long lines waiting for taxis in the cold,” said Bettina Shabalala, who was waiting for a bus to Soweto at the Johannesburg Art Gallery Station.
Shabalala pointed out that the buses were warmer inside because they had heaters. “The drivers themselves make the atmosphere warm because of their save driving. You travel with no fear that the bus will slip on the wet roads.”
Another passenger at the station, Tshepo Moletsane, added that even though the seats were cold, making it uncomfortable to sit, it was not too much of a problem because buses were quick to arrive.
Sibulelo Makathini, who was also waiting for a bus at the station to go to Carlton Centre, had a suggestion – some gaps at the top of the stations should be closed to stop the wind from blowing in.
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