Johannesburg - Make way for the party bus.
A group of young Joburg entrepreneurs plan to launch a new night-time transport service in September that will run through popular nightlife destinations, including the University of Johannesburg and Wits, Melville, Greenside, Braamfontein, Rosebank, Illovo and Sandton.
Its official name is the Night Bus and tickets are set to cost R30 for the unlimited rides in one night, with buses arriving every 20 minutes along the same route.
Partygoers exploded with excitement over the Night Bus, with the Facebook page receiving more than 4 000 likes in less than 24 hours last week, and a newly created Twitter profile garnering hundreds of followers.
“We have such an amazing nightlife and music scene in Joburg and we’re linking everything up so you can enjoy everything you want to enjoy in one night,” said Night Bus chief executive Jade Mann.
Mann and her partners – Clayton Mott, Daniel Harris and Mikail Solomon – are all aged under 30 and conceived the idea over a year ago.
They indulged in a lot of partying – aka market research – to determine the favoured destinations in the city as well as how to structure the service so that it can be accessible and affordable for most people.
Mann said she also hopes the service will curb drunk driving.
“We’re providing the missing link in existing transport infrastructure – from the time you leave the house to the time you step back home.
“We’re developing a bar-hopping culture and people might take a taxi home, but in between nightlife districts they’re still drinking and driving,” she said.
The fleet will begin with seven buses, but Mann said the team already have plans to make it more efficient.
“Club hopping without worrying about the ‘police’ I love my city woop woop,” an enthusiastic Facebook user commented.
Many are suggesting adding destinations in the south or places like Newtown.
Mann said the team are open to suggestions, and if the scheme is successful after its September launch, the plan is to add more destinations and features. - The Star