Greyhound Announces Closure. DA Calls for Transport Minister to Intervene

Greyhound and Citiliner have announced they will be closing operations on 14 February 2021, after 37 years in South Africa… another casualty to Lockdown and the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The company thanked its customers and said: “It has been our pleasure connecting you across Southern Africa for the past 37 years.”

Chris Hunsinger – DA Shadow Minister of Transport – said in a statement on Wednesday that Greyhound and Citiliner’s shutdown will have “devastating consequences with thousands more South Africans now facing joblessness and unemployment”.

He added: “Furthermore, the closure of Greyhound and Citiliner, will leave a massive gap in the affordable long-distance travel sector as thousands of South Africans and those living in our neighbouring countries have for decades relied on these services.”

DA Calls for Transport Minister to Intervene in Greyhound Closure

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has therefore issued an urgent call to the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, to engage Greyhound on the possible avenues in which the government could intervene to prevent the shutdown.

Hunsinger said: “While there may be a variety of reasons for this decision by the Greyhound bus company, we must consider the impact of the government’s haphazard lockdown regulations – such as the closure of land borders, banning of interprovincial travel, failure to extend UIF TERS support during the extended lockdown, and the curfew – must have had on the company. The DA has consistently requested relief for especially bus and tourist bus companies who have had little to no income during the extended lockdown. This, along with the heartless and persistent decision by government not to extend the validity of vehicles, has added to the financial woes of vehicle fleet owners.

“The government therefore has a hand in this situation and should seek meaningful ways, that does not include a bailout, to assist as the company has for the past 37 years been providing an essential service to thousands of people in South Africa and the region.”

Greyhound customers have left messages thanking the company for its years of service. One said: “This is so sad. I always travelled on Greyhound and enjoyed my experiences. Thank you to all Greyhound staff, bus drivers and cabin attendants for your professionalism, consideration, patience and fantastic customer service. It will be deeply missed.?”  Another said: “Thank you for excellent service, I’m really heart broken for your closure, I was a fan and a customer as I travelled between Joburg and Durban at least 2-3 times each month. I can’t imagine using any other bus service besides Greyhound; don’t do this to your loyal customers?.”

According to its website, Greyhound was annually transporting 804 293 passengers over 25 million km of road.

Greyhound said in a statement on its social media pages that all passengers who have tickets booked for services after 14 February will be refunded in full. For assistance with receiving your refund, contact the Call Centre 011 611 8000 or 087 352 0352 or email your ticket reference number and contact details to refunds@greyhound.co.za.