The Tourism Bus Industry (Grade 11 NSC Matric Tourism): Revision Notes

The Tourism Bus Industry

The tourism bus industry provides essential transport services for both domestic and international tourists in South Africa. Different types of buses serve various purposes, from short local trips to long-distance journeys, and understanding these options helps tourists and tourism professionals make informed transport decisions.

Types of buses

Minibuses

Minibuses are small vehicles that typically carry around 12 passengers. In South Africa, these vehicles play an important role in both local and tourist transport.

Uses for local commuters:

• Taxi operators use minibuses as unmetered taxis to transport people between their homes and workplaces
• Local residents without personal transport use taxi minibuses to reach nearby attractions
• Families travelling long distances to visit friends and relatives in other provinces during holidays rely on these services

Uses for tourists:

• Tourists use minibuses to travel between their accommodation and tourist attractions
• During major events and festivals, such as the Soccer World Cup, taxi minibuses transport tourists from stations and parking areas to event venues
• Private tour operators use minibuses to offer small group and personalised tours to selected attractions

Coaches, megabuses and sleeper coaches

Coaches

Coaches are larger buses designed for longer journeys. The key difference between coaches and commuter buses is the distance they travel. Coaches make trips longer than 24 km, whilst commuter buses travel 24 km or less. An example of a South African coach service is Translux.

Features of luxury coaches:

• Reclining or sleeper seats for passenger comfort
• Air conditioning to maintain a pleasant temperature
• On-board entertainment systems
• Reading lights and heaters
• On-board toilets
• Many luxury coaches have cabin attendants to assist passengers

Booking and travel requirements:

• Passengers must book their tickets in advance
• Travellers should arrive at the departure point 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time
• The standard baggage allowance is 30 kg per person

Popular uses:

• Coach transport is particularly popular with the VFR tourist market (people Visiting Friends and Relatives)
• Tour operators such as Hilton Ross use coaches and megabuses as tour buses for day excursions (day tours) and longer overnight tours
• International tourists often use tour buses because they form part of the tourism experience itself—this is known as 'transport as tourism'

Megabuses

Megabuses are very large buses with high passenger capacity. These vehicles can seat more than 70 passengers, making them ideal for moving large groups. An example is Translux's double-decker coaches, which provide two levels of seating.

Sleeper coaches

Sleeper coaches specialise in long journeys that often continue through the night. These buses have reclining seats that allow passengers to rest comfortably during extended trips. Intercape's Sleepliner is an example of this type of service.

Key features:

• Used for inter-city travel between major towns and cities
• Popular with domestic tourists who don't own their own vehicles
• Provide an affordable alternative to air travel for long-distance journeys

Special-purpose buses

Charter buses

Tour operators use charter buses for organised group tours. The size of the bus selected depends on two main factors: the type of tour being offered and the number of people in the tour group. This flexibility allows tour operators to match the vehicle to their specific needs, whether it's a small intimate group or a larger party.

Open-top buses for sightseeing

Open-top buses are specifically designed for sightseeing experiences. These distinctive buses follow set tourist routes that connect the main tourist attractions at a destination, allowing passengers to see the sights from an elevated, open-air position.

Features and benefits:

• Often include audio commentary that provides information about the attractions along the route
• Give tourists an effective way to explore the main attractions when they have limited time at a destination
• Ideal for tourists who cannot drive themselves or are unfamiliar with the area
• Allow passengers to experience the destination whilst receiving expert guidance

Shuttle services

A shuttle is a bus or minibus that travels at regular intervals between two specific locations. This reliable, scheduled service connects important points that tourists need to access.

Common shuttle routes:

• Between hotels and airports
• Between accommodation establishments and conference or meeting venues
• Between airports and car rental agencies

Many tourist establishments operate their own shuttle services to provide convenient transport for their guests.

Baz Bus

Baz Bus is a specialised long-distance bus service that operates on a hop-on, hop-off basis. This service specifically caters to budget travellers, including students and backpackers who need flexible, affordable transport.

Key features:

• Picks up and drops off passengers at more than 180 backpacking hostels
• Operates on set routes between major cities: Cape Town to Johannesburg via Port Elizabeth and Durban
• Allows passengers to get on and off at any stop along the route, providing maximum flexibility
• Designed for travellers who want to explore multiple destinations without rigid schedules

Bus schedules and route maps

Bus schedules are essential documents that provide tourists with important information about their journey. Understanding how to read a bus schedule helps travellers plan their trips effectively.

Information typically found on a bus schedule:

Column	Information provided	Example
Board	Point of departure	Durban Station
Destination	Arrival location	Port Elizabeth Station
From Date	Date of departure	10 Dec 2011
From Time	Scheduled departure time	06:30
Until Date	Date of arrival	10 Dec 2011
Until Time	Scheduled arrival time	20:55
Service	Specific trip number for that day	1115
Carrier	Bus company operating the service	TRANSLUX
Available	Number of seats still available	39
Fare	Cost per person	R380

How to use a bus schedule:

When reading a timetable, start by identifying your departure point and destination. Check the date and time of departure to find a journey that suits your travel plans. Look at the arrival time to see how long the journey will take. Check the number of available seats to ensure space is available, and note the fare to budget for your trip. The service number identifies the specific journey, which is important when booking tickets or making enquiries.

Remember!