The young man who took the wheel after the driver of a bus ran away during a robbery has been offered driving lessons by Golden Arrow.
Ashley Europa, from Eastridge, Mitchells Plain, made headlines this week after he made sure that traumatised passengers got home safely last Tuesday.
On Wednesday Golden Arrow Bus Services spokeswoman Bronwyne Dyke-Beyer announced that they are offering him an opportunity to learn how to drive a bus and get his licence.
The 24-year-old man can barely drive a car, but managed to drive the bus from Crossroads to Mitchells Plain that night.
“We had just been robbed by three men with guns and when they left we realised that the driver ran away,” he said.
“When no one volunteered to drive, I did. I lied to other passengers and said I could drive when I have never driven a bus before.
“I know the basics of driving and my father always supervised.
“I dropped everyone at their stops and then when I was on Spine Road, I was stopped by a Golden Arrow inspector and they took the bus.
“If they hadn’t stopped me, I would have taken the bus home with me and kept it safe until they came and fetched it.”
Golden Arrow initially told the Daily Voice that “passengers should not under any circumstances, no matter how well-intentioned, attempt to drive a bus”.
But after social media users slammed Golden Arrow for not acknowledging Ashley’s selfless act, they decided to make it up to him.
“Golden Arrow has made contact with Ashley to offer him the opportunity to obtain his learner’s licence and driver’s licence with the assistance of our Training and Assessment Centre,” explains Dyke-Beyer.
“This will open many doors for Ashley which include the possibility of becoming a professional bus driver.”
Ashley says he doesn’t want people to get the wrong impression.
“When I got into the driver’s seat, it was not to be famous or get a job, I was thinking about the old people who were in the bus, they had to get home,” he says.
“I was also thinking about my daughter who is at home waiting for me.
“If I hadn’t done what I did, maybe something worse would have happened.”
Ashley, who works as a cleaner at the Waterfront, is the breadwinner in his household, and his bravery has earned him a job offer.
“Apart from Golden Arrow, I received a call from someone else telling me to send my CV, they might have a job for me.
“All of this came at the time when I’ve just had a salary cut at work,” the grateful man adds.