On The Buses

On The Buses

Wednesday, December 18th, 2019

Dear Ekhuruleni Municipality

Our popular bus driver has apparently gone on leave. I am sure that he needs it and thoroughly deserves it. It must be exhausting navigating the chaotic streets of this world class African city, with minibus taxi drivers and others making up the rules as they speed along.

The 5.20 bus did not turn up on the first day of his leave. Has he taken it along? This would also explain why the 5.50 bus goes missing in action whenever the driver is off. One then waits in fearful anticipation to see whether the last bus will turn up or not. By a combination of the laws of Sod and Murphy, this drearily inevitable event usually takes place on a cold, dark Friday evening, the Jozi streets in their most sombre evening wear. Miss that last bus and you’re in for a long walk down ’streets that follow like a tedious argument of insidious intent’.
I understand the notion that drivers should take care of their vehicles. Isn’t it taking it too far, though, to expect them to take the buses along when they go on leave? On the Friday before Reconciliation Day, three buses did not turn up. I assume that three more drivers went on leave. The communication was consistent - none.

I foolishly thought that buses run to a schedule. Of course, it wouldn’t be Johannesburg, South Africa if you didn’t throw some delightful twists and surprises into that lot. It’s been instructive and interesting riding on the Ekhuruleni buses. You had about four strikes during the year. How on earth did you manage to find four major issues to dispute in one year? Shouldn’t you consider counselling?

Yours in the struggle to get from A to B without touring the entire alphabet.

Richard