"Not only is this great news for passengers, it comes with job creation at a time where unemployment is at an all-time low in South Africa," he adds.
Last year, Greyhound Coach Lines announced its closure effective 14 February 2021. The bus company, which had been operating for 37 years, mentioned that the reason for the closure was due to financial constraints over the years, which were exacerbated by the Covid-19 travel restrictions.
With lockdown restrictions eased, the travel and tourism sector has seen a massive improvement with more people travelling across provinces. And with the Easter break approaching, there will certainly be a demand for a more safe, reliable and luxurious mode of transport.
"We are happy to welcome back Greyhound Coach Lines, one of the most well-known and trusted interprovincial bus services," said Sindisiwe Chikunga, deputy minister of transport. "The return of the luxury liner is well-aligned with the ministry's vision to get all transport forms fully operational at the highest standard," she added.
Travellers can look forward to the below key routes, with direct routes to their destination or via popular stops for the initial roll-out:
● Johannesburg to Durban (direct)
● Johannesburg to Cape Town (via Bloemfontein)
● Pretoria to Cape Town (via Kimberly)
● Cape Town to Mthatha (via Garden Route)
● Mthatha to Cape Town (via Garden Route)
● Pretoria to Durban (via Empangeni)
● Cape Town to Durban (via Bloemfontein)
● Johannesburg to East London (direct)
● East London to Cape Town (via Queenstown)
In Phase 2, Greyhound aims to launch routes to the following return destinations with many others to be announced in the near future:
● Johannesburg to Pretoria to Polokwane
● Johannesburg to Mosselbay (via Bloemfontein)
● Johannesburg to Mthatha (via Pietermaritzburg)
● Johannesburg to Mthatha (via Matatiele)
● Johannesburg to Pretoria to Komatipoort
● Johannesburg to Phalaborwa
● Johannesburg to Gqeberha (via Craddock)
