Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) has taken delivery of the first batch of 120 BYD buses which will see public transport in the City of Cape Town transition from burning diesel to using electricity.
GABS has piloted two electric BYD buses since 2021 to determine whether they can handle its demanding routes that often involve steep inclines and heavy traffic.
“After intensive testing, international observations, and enabled by innovative partnerships, Golden Arrow has taken delivery of the first 20 electric buses which will be followed 100 more buses to be delivered over the course of 2025,” said CEO Francois Meyer.
“This is a full-circle moment for Golden Arrow, in 1896 we were behind the wheel of the first electric tram in South Africa and now, some 129 years later we are first commuter bus company to introduce electric buses into service at scale.”
The company also installed 30 charging units at its premises, with two dispensers each, which it claims is the largest charging facility in South Africa.
The site will be expanded to 60 chargers with a total of 120 dispensers during the second half of 2025.
The power of partnerships
According to GABS Company Engineer, Gideon Neethling, the rollout of GABS’ electric buses would not have been possible without the power of partnerships.
“As part of planning for this project, we visited a number of international electric bus operations and the golden thread behind their successes were partnerships with business, government, and civil society,” he said.
To that end, GABS signed a Memorandum of Co-operation with power utility Eskom, setting out the terms for ongoing constructive engagement relating broadly to the introduction of electric vehicles into the South African market.
It naturally also formed a working relationship with Chinese carmaker BYD, the provider of the electric people movers.
“[GABS] will be looking to establish further partnerships so that this project can benefit the transport industry and economy,” said Neethling.
The 120 buses represent over 10% of Golden Arrow’s total fleet and will operate across various routes.
Neethling said the ones already in service were given a resounding thumbs up by passengers and that public feedback has been overwhelmingly positive thus far.
These individuals lauded the quieter and more comfortable ride of the battery-powered buses as well as the improved air quality at bus stops.
For GABS, the company determined that it stands to save up to R657,000 per year on diesel by switching to electric, as well as achieve a 50% savings in spare parts and 80% savings in oils and lubricants.
“As a cornerstone of Cape Town’s public transport system, Golden Arrow Bus Services is leading the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by introducing these electric buses into its fleet,” said Isaac Sileku, Western Cape Minister of Mobility.
“In the public transport sector, the shift to electric vehicles is critical to achieving sustainable mobility for commuters and creating economic opportunities and job creation in various sectors of the province.”
The buses will additionally foster opportunities for entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises in the electric mobility sector, and takes the Western Cape closer to achieving its long-term vision to be a net zero emissions, climate resilient, and job creating province, said Sileku.
Loading ...
