PASSENGERS buy tickets on a monthly and weekly basis, and expect to be transported to their destinations.
But those same buses sometimes cannot move because they allegedly don’t have diesel. Then commuters using North West Star buses are allegedly forced to donate and buy it. This apparently usually happened to those from Hammanskraal, Tshwane, and beyond.
Frustrated commuters claimed they were forced to donate as they wanted to go to work.
“Drivers tell us that the depot has no diesel and because we want to get to work, we have to contribute so the bus is filled up.”
Another one said: “I buy my ticket, hoping it will cover me for the whole month. But I have to still pop out extra cash for diesel. This is ridiculous.”
Some said taxis were not an option because they were expensive.
“In a taxi you can pay more than R100 a day, and with the money I am earning, that means I would spend the month working only for transport,” said a commuter.
The company’s transport investments spokesman Freddy Sepeng denied the allegations. “Those that claim to have contributed cash must bring proof,” he said.
A bus controller confirmed the commuters’ claims, saying they allegedly used to contribute cash for diesel but not anymore.
