A Mitchells Plain mother is demanding that Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) pay back her money after she purchased a gold card on the incorrect advice of a cashier.
Shireen Bester, 51, from Lentegeur says on October 9 she bought a ticket at Clocktower where she enquired about the bus times.
“My shift starts at 6pm, so I asked the cashier if there are any N1 City buses leaving Town Centre via AZ Berman before that. She advised that there was one departing the Centre at 5pm.
“I thought it was perfect. I bought the card for R245,” Shireen explained.
However, when the vrou stood at the bus stop and time went by, she was informed by another passenger that there were no N1 City buses passing by that late.
“By 5.30pm I walked back home where I had to use my last R130 for an e-hailing service. I called GABS and the operator then said no, the last N1 City bus via AZ Berman leaves Town Centre at nine in the morning,” the angry mom said.
Shireen told the agent of the miscommunication but was “bluntly” told that they do not refund tickets.
“I would understand if it was my mistake, but it wasn’t.
“I basically threw away that money as I won’t be able to use the ticket and I had to borrow money to travel, now I am in debt before even getting paid,” she added.
GABS spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer says while tickets are sold on condition of “no refunds and no exchanges”, the bus service will be assisting Shireen due to her specific circumstances.
“It seems that there was a misunderstanding at the time of purchase and as such we will be assisting her,” Dyke-Beyer said.
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za