CAPE TOWN’s show piece Waterfront development and popular Atlantic seaboard will soon enjoy a first world bus service. This is a high priority route for 2010 and for tourism in general and Golden Arrow wants to elevate the image of public transport by offering a quality service.

The service between Cape Town and the Waterfront will be expanded to provide for a maximum waiting time of 15 minutes between 05h50 and 23h30 on weekdays and 20 minutes over weekends between 06h00 and 13h30.

Between the Waterfront and Sea Point, the maximum waiting time will be 20 minutes, Monday to Sunday between 06h10 and 23h30.

Passengers will enjoy travelling on the company’s new MAN, air-conditioned, wheelchair friendly low-floor buses.

The buses, purchased at a cost of almost R2 million each, were designed with all the latest accessories and complemented by an attractive, modern livery, were officially introduced to key transport people last year on 5 August.

Officials from the Provincial Department of Transport, representatives from the City’s Transport, Roads & Storm water directorate and office bearers of the Cape Regional Chamber’s Transport & Communications Forum were invited on a maiden trip which included a jaunt around the inner city and lunch at the Ambassador Hotel Salt Restaurant.

The new buses are based at the company’s Tollgate depot and can be seen on the Waterfront, Sea Point and the Retreat routes.

“The acquisition of the new low floor buses clearly demonstrates Golden Arrow’s continued commitment to improving public transport in the Cape Metropole,” said Golden Arrow general manager, Francois Meyer, “and we are confident that these buses will go a long way to restoring faith and elevating the profile of public transport in the city.”

Pamphlets informing potential customers of the expanded service are being prepared for distribution in local newspapers and hotels and will include a map showing major points of interest like the Cape Town Stadium and the Mouille Point lighthouse.

The management of the Waterfront has been asked to improve signage directing passengers to the bus service and to provide more space at bus shelters for the display of timetables.