Tensions are running high in the Johannesburg CBD as disgruntled Metrobus commuters prepare to march to the operator’s headquarters in Braamfontein to hand over a memorandum of grievances.
The protest, which began at Gandhi Square on Monday morning, centres on the recently introduced payment system that commuters say has made bus travel more expensive and inconvenient.
Protesters are calling for a return to the old payment system, claiming that the new method results in multiple charges when transferring between routes, increasing the cost of daily commutes.
In addition to payment concerns, commuters have raised complaints about unreliable service, saying late arrivals are causing them to be late for work. Others voiced frustration over the newly introduced bus fleet, claiming it does not adequately accommodate passengers living with disabilities.
One commuter said, "We’re being charged more just for changing routes. This system is unfair, and the service keeps getting worse."
Metrobus has yet to formally respond to the grievances, but the protest highlights growing dissatisfaction among commuters relying on public transport in the city.