A Mitchells Plain commuter has accused a bus driver of playing with their lives after he filmed the man driving on the highway while chatting on WhatsApp.
Allan Bernhardt, 39, from Eastridge, says he was travelling to work on Monday and got the Town Centre via Merrydale to Cape Town bus.
He says the driver of Golden Arrow bus number 1950 was not only chatting and sending voice notes on his phone, but was also wearing earphones while driving.
“I got on the 8.30am bus at Spine Road and the driver was wearing earphones, only removing one when someone got on and he was constantly on his phone,” says Allan.
“On Jakes Gerwel Drive near the Coke factory he was not taking note of the road, but was on his phone.
Driver on phone
“He was chatting, sending and listening to voice notes and physically typing,” Allan says angrily.
He says the driver was so busy on his phone that he didn’t even notice Allan filming him.
“I called the call centre complaints number and the woman blatantly told me she doesn’t think they [GABS] was going to respond to me.”
GABS spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer says action will be taken against the driver.
“Golden Arrow bus drivers are not permitted to make use of their cellphones while driving, nor are they permitted to listen to music or make use of earphones,” she says.
“Using the information provided to us, we will trace the driver and institute disciplinary proceedings.”
She says Allen’s complaint against the Transport Information Centre (TIC) operator will also be investigated.
A Mitchells Plain commuter has recorded a Golden Arrow bus driver using his phone while driving. Video supplied