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To support the new fleet, Golden Arrow Bus Services confirmed that it has installed 30 charging units, with two dispensers each Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) in Cape Town, South Africa has deployed the first 20 electric buses it has received from BYD in China. This will be followed by a 100 more to be delivered over the course of 2025. This is the first of its kind roll out of a fleet of electric buses in South Africa – to be used for mass public transportation. In making the announcement yesterday (17 March), the company also confirmed that it has installed 30 charging units, with two dispensers each, the largest of its kind in South Africa. The charging facility will be expanded to 60 chargers with a total of 120 dispensers during the second half of 2025. A journey long in the making Golden Arrow said that in 2021, when it began testing two electric buses, “there was a great deal of uncertainty around suitability for the South African commuter bus industry.” After intensive testing, international observations and enabled by innovative partnerships, the company confirmed that “it has taken delivery of the first 20 electric buses which will be followed 100 more buses to be delivered over the course of 2025.” “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 the first commuter bus company to introduce electric buses into service at scale,” said Golden Arrow Bus Services Chief Executive Officer Francois Meyer. “Innovation, backed by data and testing, is key to transforming the South African economy. We believe that this is a key moment not only for Golden Arrow but for the local transport industry. “This is an opportunity for businesses across the supply chain to diversify their offerings, embrace sustainable transport solutions and create jobs. This is a historic moment for our country that we can all be proud of,” said Meyer. Initiative shows the importance of forging the right connections GABS Company Engineer, Gideon Neethling, said forming partnerships has been key. “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. “We have been engaging with a variety of stakeholders and will be looking to establish further partnerships so that this project can benefit the transport industry and economy,” said Neethling. |
