R698 200 spent on bus window repairs in one year
In the photo: Vandalism side window
The GO GEORGE bus service has endured a staggering 43 incidents of stone-throwing last year. These senseless and malicious acts of vandalism have cost the George Integrated Public Transport Network (GIPTN) a total of R698 200 to repair damaged bus windows alone.
“Vandalism targeting GO GEORGE infrastructure and buses is a grave concern,” stated Morné Lakay, GO GEORGE Manager. “Such incidents not only disrupt the quality of service for our passengers but also defy our mission to provide a dignified and safe public transport service. Each damaged bus removed from service for repairs puts additional pressure on the remaining fleet, potentially causing delays and disrupting the entire schedule for the day.”
Lakay stressed that while some may view these actions as harmless pranks, they are, in fact, criminal offences. “Damaging public property is a prosecutable crime and can lead to a criminal record. Throwing stones at a bus is not just vandalism — it’s a reckless act that endangers the lives of passengers and staff, with the potential to inflict serious injuries.”
The most frequent targets of these vandals include bus windows, seats, and public infrastructure such as glass panels and service information stickers at bus stop shelters. A total of 35 bus seats had to be repaired at the end of last year. Replacement of the upholstery costs R820 per seat.
GO GEORGE is calling on the community to take collective responsibility for safeguarding buses and related facilities. “We need the active involvement of parents, teachers, youth leaders, community influencers, and religious and business organisations to foster a sense of ownership and pride and instil the right values in our youth,” Lakay emphasised. “It’s crucial to educate youngsters about the severe consequences of their actions and put an end to these senseless attacks on a service that ultimately benefits their own community.”
GO GEORGE urges the public to help put a stop to vandalism and report any such activities by contacting the GO GEORGE Call Centre at 0800 044 044. If safe to do so, capturing photos of those committing acts of vandalism can greatly aid in holding culprits accountable.
R698 200 bestee aan vervanging van busruite in een jaar
Die GO GEORGE-busdiens het verlede jaar ‘n verbysterende 43 voorvalle van klipgooiery beleef. Hierdie sinnelose en kwaadwillige dade van vandalisme het die George Geïntegreerde Openbare Vervoernetwerk (GIPTN) altesaam R698 200 gekos om beskadigde slegs busruite te vervang.
“Vandalisme wat GO GEORGE-infrastruktuur en -busse teiken, is ‘n ernstige bron van kommer,” sê Morné Lakay, GO GEORGE-bestuurder. “Sulke voorvalle belemmer nie net die kwaliteit van diens vir ons passasiers nie, maar ontwrig ook ons missie om ‘n waardige en veilige openbare vervoerdiens te lewer. Elke beskadigde bus wat vir herstelwerk uit diens geneem word, plaas bykomende druk op die oorblywende vloot, wat moontlik vertragings kan veroorsaak en die hele skedule vir die dag ontwrig.”
Lakay beklemtoon dat hoewel sommige hierdie optrede as onskadelike poetse beskou, dit in werklikheid kriminele oortredings is. “Die beskadiging van openbare eiendom is ‘n vervolgbare misdaad en kan tot ‘n kriminele rekord lei. Om klippe na ‘n bus te gooi is nie net vandalisme nie – dit is ‘n roekelose daad wat die lewens van passasiers en personeel in gevaar stel, met die potensiaal om ernstige beserings te veroorsaak.”
Die mees algemene teikens van hierdie vandale sluit in busruite, sitplekke en openbare infrastruktuur soos glaspanele en diensinligtingplakkers by bushalteskuilings. Altesaam 35 bussitplekke moes einde verlede jaar herstel word. Vervanging van die bekleedsel kos R820 per sitplek.
GO GEORGE doen ‘n beroep op die gemeenskap om kollektiewe verantwoordelikheid te neem vir die beveiliging van busse en verwante fasiliteite. “Ons het die aktiewe betrokkenheid van ouers, onderwysers, jeugleiers, gemeenskapsbeïnvloeders en godsdienstige en sake-organisasies nodig om ‘n gevoel van eienaarskap en trots te kweek en die regte waardes by ons jeug in te boesem,” benadruk Lakay. “Dit is van kardinale belang om jongmense op te voed oor die ernstige gevolge van hul optrede en ‘n einde te maak aan hierdie sinnelose aanvalle op ‘n diens wat aan die einde van die dag hul eie gemeenskap bevoordeel.”
GO GEORGE doen ‘n beroep op die publiek om vandalisme te help stop en enige sodanige aktiwiteite aan te meld deur die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 te kontak. As dit veilig is om dit te doen, kan die neem van foto’s van diegene wat vandalisme pleeg, baie help om oortreders aanspreeklik te hou.
