Johannesburg Metrobus

D

Dovi

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After going overseas for the first time last year and discovering the joys of public transport in a world-class city, I took it upon myself to attempt to start using the public bus systems here more often. Obtaining information was the first and biggest challenge I faced (and still sometimes face to this day.)

Anyone who's interested in using the Metrobus service as an alternative to private transport due to increasing petrol prices is welcome to send me a pm and I can help them out with information such as routes, fares, timetables etc. The Metrobus call centre is useless.

Their service covers the Rosebank, Sandton and Johannesburg CBDs pretty well, as well as the main Universities and shopping centres. Although there are isn't much choice in inter-suburb routes, it is often possible to move from residential area to residential area without having to endure any crossovers. A large portion of their fleet was replaced several years ago. Their service is pleasant, affordable and (generally) reliable. And, of course, there's the added advantage of being able to do something productive while sitting in traffic such as reading or catching up on work.
 
I wish one coudl say the same thing about the Tswhane Metro bus service (on rather dis-service). Old antequated busses and all routes lead to Kerk Plein. To get from home (Garsfontein) to work (Waltloo/Silverton) would take me more than 2 hours by bus, 25 minutes by car :/

*sigh*
 
supersunbird said:
I wish one coudl say the same thing about the Tswhane Metro bus service (on rather dis-service). Old antequated busses and all routes lead to Kerk Plein. To get from home (Garsfontein) to work (Waltloo/Silverton) would take me more than 2 hours by bus, 25 minutes by car :/

*sigh*
Click to expand...

On the plus side Tshwane (like Johannesburg) is rolling out a BRT system in time for 2010 which should help with the current lack of public transport infrastructure.

The City of Tshwane has a section on their website dedicated to bus routes which might help you somewhat.
 
Doing it in public

I'm going to have to start using public transport very soon, and i'm havingtrouble getting the right info. does metrobus just not want me to use their service, the route map on their site makes no sense, and i can never get anyone @ their call centre. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP!!

[email protected]
 
We are moving offices to Sandton, looks like the bus trip will cost me R275 pm and will be faster than using my car as the buses use bus lanes. The save is quite a bit so I considering this quite a bit.
 
I was in London last year in the middle of a strike that shut the underground down, and had to learn the ropes on the bus service real fast.

What a pleasant surprise.

Though slower than the tube, the service was punctual. The bus stops were perfect, the busses clean. The Oyster card system to pay for transport simply amazed me. Being able to use the same card to pay for various modes of transport is just convenient.

Unless local public transport bosses loose the "Putco is good public transport" mentality, public transport won't ever take off.

South Africa is a country with 2 distinct classes, the very poor, and the not so poor.

The not so poor demands clean, modern, functional and pleasant public transport with decent ventilation etc. Not an overload sardine can on a truck chassis. They are prepared to pay for it - if it saves them money and is convenient. But having to move from home to a central depot and then to the office is not on. People will be prepared to travel a few minutes longer than by private car, but even 30 minutes longer is a no-no.

The poor on the other hand measure transport mostly on cost, and would choose a cheap ride in a sardine can rather than a more expensive ride in more confortable vehicles. (Obviously the more luxury ride at the same low price would be prefered).
 
man, our transport system sucks - it seems it's difficult even if you have an internet connection. eish...
 
Route info needed.

Hi, I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to get home from Sandton tomorrow. I have an interview there at 9 and I should be done before 12. I live in Chrisville, next to Robertsham. If anyone can help me with routes, fares, bus tranfer info, it would be muchly appreciated.
 
The busses weren't all too punctual when I was using them, but they the bus lanes were very nice :)

Should pop a GPS onto them and trace out the routes, would be much more handy than their dodge descriptions. I remember quite well the route the Witpoortjie-Ghandi bus took.

If I didn't need to pick up my sister-in-law after work, I'd try to take the one passing by us in the mornings. There's a bus stop about 200m walk from my flat. If I could jump the wall it'd probably be 100m.

Main gripe was the way they packed in on the busy times. When the aisles are loaded up you basically have to get everybody off the bus, load/unload a few, and get everybody back on. During the busier "business hours" it's quite convenient, but I hated waiting for more than an hour for a bus to get to/from varsity at times.
 
What if SA had a tram system, like in the states. Reckon that could work? Only in the CBD's ofcourse.
 
Vinni said:
What if SA had a tram system, like in the states. Reckon that could work? Only in the CBD's ofcourse.
Click to expand...

Think the BRT is the same concept of trams but by using buses (sticks to one dedicated line where no one else can ride). Plus you can use the same road in off-peak times.
 
catch a bus to ghandi sqaure, ask the bus driver which bus will get you to where you need to go. the bus drivers are the most helpfull people there
 
Bus Route

Hi Dovi

I leave in Meredale south of Johannesburg and my wife will be starting school in JHB CBD. Her classes starts at 09H00 and end at 15H00. Although I work in the CBD her starting time is 2 and half hour later to working hour.

I have tried to look at bus route on metrobus website and I must agree, I was left confused and found nothing of value.

Can you please help with the time table, fee, bus stops and route. Also at the end of February we are moving to Kibler Park can help with the same info for the area.

Rgards

Dovi said:
After going overseas for the first time last year and discovering the joys of public transport in a world-class city, I took it upon myself to attempt to start using the public bus systems here more often. Obtaining information was the first and biggest challenge I faced (and still sometimes face to this day.)

Anyone who's interested in using the Metrobus service as an alternative to private transport due to increasing petrol prices is welcome to send me a pm and I can help them out with information such as routes, fares, timetables etc. The Metrobus call centre is useless.

Their service covers the Rosebank, Sandton and Johannesburg CBDs pretty well, as well as the main Universities and shopping centres. Although there are isn't much choice in inter-suburb routes, it is often possible to move from residential area to residential area without having to endure any crossovers. A large portion of their fleet was replaced several years ago. Their service is pleasant, affordable and (generally) reliable. And, of course, there's the added advantage of being able to do something productive while sitting in traffic such as reading or catching up on work.
Click to expand...
 
metrobus route map

hi...i have a new domestic starting to work at my home in weltevredenpark. i am hoping to get her a monthly ticket to travel by bus from hillbrow. does anyone have a route map for the metrobus?

tx.
 
I took the bus to work in the CBD (ghandi square) a few months ago. The bus stop is literally right out my house. Eventually I gave up as the bus's often broke down forcing me to get off at Westgate and walk an hour odd home after a long days work.

The bus's route numbers are often marked incorrectly, late. Drivers are usually obnoxious with the exception of one driver that occasionally was on my route.
 
Metrobus

Dovi said:
After going overseas for the first time last year and discovering the joys of public transport in a world-class city, I took it upon myself to attempt to start using the public bus systems here more often. Obtaining information was the first and biggest challenge I faced (and still sometimes face to this day.)

Anyone who's interested in using the Metrobus service as an alternative to private transport due to increasing petrol prices is welcome to send me a pm and I can help them out with information such as routes, fares, timetables etc. The Metrobus call centre is useless.

Their service covers the Rosebank, Sandton and Johannesburg CBDs pretty well, as well as the main Universities and shopping centres. Although there are isn't much choice in inter-suburb routes, it is often possible to move from residential area to residential area without having to endure any crossovers. A large portion of their fleet was replaced several years ago. Their service is pleasant, affordable and (generally) reliable. And, of course, there's the added advantage of being able to do something productive while sitting in traffic such as reading or catching up on work.
Click to expand...

Dovi
Hi im looking for the route information and timetables. I have tried to find it on the website well yes i can not find it. Please help.:)
 
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