Golden Arrow Bus Service takes delivery of 20 electric buses, 100 more to follow
The Golden Arrow Bus Services says 20 electric commuter buses are set to hit the streets of Cape Town.
One of the Golden Arrow electric buses. Picture: @IsaacSileku/X
CAPE TOWN - The Golden Arrow Bus Services says 20 electric commuter buses are set to hit the streets of Cape Town.
The bus operator has taken delivery of the first 20 electric buses which will be followed by 100 more buses to be delivered over the course of this year.
It's also installed 30 charging units, with two dispensers each, the largest of its kind in South Africa.
Golden Arrow's Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said the charging facility would be expanded to 60 chargers, with a total of 120 dispensers during the second half of 2025.
"The new buses were given a resounding thumbs up by the company’s passenger forums and feedback from passengers and the public has been overwhelmingly positive thus far."
Golden Arrow Bus Services secures a historic order of 120 electric buses from BYD, a key milestone in their journey to full fleet electrification. Deliveries begin in late 2024, driving a cleaner, greener future for public transport in South Africa. 🌱 🚍⚡#MobilityForAll pic.twitter.com/9JtwDgpES4
— Minister Isaac Sileku (@IsaacSileku) March 17, 2025
Dyke-Beyer said that when Golden Arrow began testing two electric buses in 2021, there was a great deal of uncertainty around suitability for the South African commuter bus industry.
But it's taken intensive testing, international observations and innovative partnerships to get them too this point.
"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."