Joint media release: Western Cape Government and Golden Arrow Bus Services
The Minister of Transport and Public Works, Daylin Mitchell, the Minister of Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, and Golden Arrow Bus Services CEO, Francois Meyer, today launched a pop-up vaccination site at the Arrowgate bus depot in Montana.
The Arrowgate vaccine pop-up clinic forms part of October Transport Month activities while incorporating Government’s commitment to take Covid-19 vaccines to the people.
This partnership with Government will add an essential dimension to GABS’ existing vaccination drive, which makes use of GABS’ buses to transport employees from the Company to vaccine sites during working hours.
Golden Arrow Bus Services transports about 250 000 passengers per day. The Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works continues to interact with GABS to ensure that the company provides quality, scheduled transport to the citizens of the province.
Transport and Public Works Minister, Daylin Mitchell said: “The vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 illness, that may lead to hospitalisation and death. That is why we are working hard to bring vaccines closer to our communities in order to save lives and jobs. It is very important that we target public transport operators as they work around the clock taking commuters to economic opportunities as we are rebuilding our economy. Public transport operators are working in areas of high transit as they transport people to and from different destinations and their staff often find it difficult to visit vaccine sites to get jabbed. It is encouraging to see in the transport sector so much interest in being vaccinated. As government, we will continue to monitor the stringent health and safety procedures which need to be followed, including cleaning and sanitisation of public transport vehicles, the availability of hand sanitiser on board for passengers and the driver and the compulsory wearing of masks by all on board.”
Health Minister, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo said: “Vaccination of the bus drivers is of great significance due to the nature of their job. They interact with people all the time, it is important that they are vaccinated to protect themselves and the customers. I can imagine that it is difficult for them to get vaccinated due to their working hours, and the proximity of the vaccination site is also a challenge. This means they miss out on getting vaccinated and are left behind. These are the people who have been working throughout all the lockdown levels and carry our province’s economy. I thank Golden Arrows Bus Service for approaching the Department of Health to ensure that their workers are vaccinated. This speaks to the power of partnerships. The victory over this virus lies in collaborations and this will go a long way in saving jobs and boosting the economy.”
GABS CEO Francois Meyer said: “This partnership will add an essential dimension to the Company’s existing vaccination drive, which makes use of buses to transport employees from all across the Company to vaccine sites during working hours. Current indications are that approximately 75% of Golden Arrow’s staff complement have already been vaccinated, but our aim is to make it possible for every employee to get vaccinated. This pop-up clinic will allow us to make it easier for bus drivers who work shifts, which often makes it difficult for them to visit facilities, to access vaccinations as they come in from their morning shift or before they begin their afternoon shifts. We are very grateful to the Department of Transport and Public Works and the Department of Health for the level of support that we have received throughout the vaccination process.”
Media Queries:
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za
Nomawethu Sbukwana
Spokesperson for Minister Nomafrench Mbombo
Cell: 083 893 5200
E-mail: nomawethu.sbukwana@westerncape.gov.za
Bronwen Dyke-Beyer
Public Relations Manager: Golden Arrow Bus Services
Cell: 072 282 6405
Email: BronwenDyke-Beyer@gabs.co.za