Golden Arrow driver suspended after refusing scholar on board for losing bus ticket

A Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) driver has been suspended after he refused to allow an 11-year-old boy onboard on Monday, after the scholar lost his bus ticket.

ARCHIVE: Picture - Mitchum George

The grade 6 learner at Simons Town Primary School, had to make his way from Simon’s Town to Makhaza, Khayelitsha where he resides.

It is reported that Harare law enforcement officials intervened and the boy was later found and taken home to his mother.

According to GABS spokesperson, Bronwen Dyke-Beyer, Golden Arrow was involved in the search for the scholar, and was in contact with his parents, having visited his home.

"Golden Arrow can confirm that company policy is to assist uniformed scholars in situations where they have lost their Gold Cards and that the driver who failed to do so has been suspended. We have undertaken to review all mechanisms related to lost scholar tickets to ensure that protocol is followed in such cases."

"In circumstances where unaccompanied minors are making use of our services, we would ask parents to assist us by ensuring that their children are able to contact them in an emergency situation and that they advise their children on what to do in a situation where they are not able to catch their bus for whatever reason. An example of this could be phoning their parents, returning to school, contacting the transport information centre or making their way to a police station. We would also encourage parents to register their children’s Gold Cards so that they can be easily traced and replaced," added Dyke-Beyer.

Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said they were saddened to hear about the incident.

“Learners in this position should return to the school and seek assistance from one of the staff members. Transportation of learners via the department’s learner transport scheme relates to learners living outside of a 5km radius of their nearest school and where no public transport is available,’’ said Bronagh Hammond, WCED spokesperson

Done By: Elona Sibunzi