Rea Vaya stations were a hive of activity as RV, the mascot, welcomed learners back to school with sweets, song and dance.

Students excited to see RV at the station

REA Vaya bus services are still the people's number one choice – this was amply evident in the hype at stations as learners returned to school and workers got back into the full swing of the new year, on the morning of Wednesday, 18 January.

Learners were welcomed back in style by the Rea Vaya mascot, RV, who took a bus trip across the city, dishing out sweets to delighted youngsters. From sunrise, the stations were a pool of many colours; a great number of students were mushrooming up and down in a hurry to get to school on time. Equally rushed were workers.

Westgate Station, possibly the busiest of them all, was a scene of intense activity. Barely a minute went by without a bus stopping to either load or offload passengers. School uniforms jostled with business suits and work clothes.

The station ambassadors were equal to the challenge, in spite of the huge number of commuters. They issued tickets on time and smoothly guided newcomers to the right buses.

It is this hands-on service that gives Rea Vaya the edge, with more people believing that the system is the answer to the challenge of transport efficiency and reliability. Attesting to this were friends and classmates Naledi Mohlonwa and Khanyi Mathebula. The two, who attend Randpark High School, have been travelling from Orlando in Soweto to Westgate Station for two years now and still enjoy the ride.

"I prefer Rea Vaya because it saves time. I am never late for school. I do not wait for more than 10 minutes for the bus to arrive. It is very convenient for me because our house is near by the station. It takes me one minute to get there," said Khanyi.

"Rea Vaya is user-friendly, for instance when it is raining we do not have to run around. The stations have a roof over, it protects us from both rain and the sun," added Naledi. "The prices are also affordable. So far I like their buses."

WESTGATE STATION

Other satisfied commuters were also happy to speak of their pleasant experiences. Another learner, from Bedfordview High School, Thabo Makhoeng travels from Diepkloof in Soweto to Westgate Station. But he wished that the buses also operated in Bedfordview so he could avoid having to take a taxi.

RV put smiles on many young commuters faces when he handed out sweets in the buses

"When I arrive at Westgate Station I have to get a taxi to Bedfordview. Sometimes it's time consuming. If Rea Vaya was operating in that area, I would prefer it because it's fast," he said.

Despite having to switch from bus to taxi, Thabo pointed out that the station's proximity to the taxi rank worked to his advantage.

Simphiwe Msibi, who attends Bophelo High School, is lucky to have his school just 10 minutes away from Westgate Station. He travels from Mzimhlope in Soweto. "From home it only takes me 20 minutes or less to get to school."

Equally impressed with Rea Vaya were workers. Petrus Mafanele, who travels from Thokoza to Westgate, said: "I have been using the buses since 2009 and up to this day I have not had any complaints, because I get to work on time and the prices are affordable. I pay R10,50 a single trip."

Mozimas Phentsi agreed: "Yes, their prices are still affordable and that is one of the reasons why I am still using their buses."

MASCOT

After a long, hard day at school, learners were greeted by RV, the friendly mascot, on the way home. He travelled on Rea Vaya buses, handing out sweets and dancing with the children. He began his adventure at Westgate Station.

First time school goers were cheered up by RV's presence on their first day of school

The mascot then headed to Orlando Station where a host of students coming from nearby schools to catch the bus home stood in amazement, staring at a masked giant. It was when he started throwing sweats around that they realised he meant no harm.

Within a twinkling of an eye, he was surrounded by a great number of youngsters who were determined to get their hands on the sweet boxes – tiny Rea Vaya buses made out of cardboard.

All told, it seemed to be a good day back on the bus.

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