GEORGE NEWS - An eye-catching entourage of 25 high school learners and one beauty queen created quite a stir last week when they did a walkabout at the bus depot of George Link, from where the Go George buses are operated.
Most of the time, official visits to the depot are undertaken by serious-looking municipal delegations who want to learn more about the local operations. This time, as part of National Transport Month activities, the George Junior City Council and Miss Planet International, Monique Best, were invited to have a closer look and learn more about the "service behind the service".
Best, who was also awarded Youth Ambassador 2019 at the George Business Chamber's annual awards on Friday, is an ex-learner of Outeniqua High School and despite vast international responsibilities in terms of conservation awareness, happened to be in George this month.
"Being Miss Planet International, I support all efforts that focus on conservation of our planet. It is important for me to listen to what huge operations such as Go George have in place to respect our natural resources," she said.
Monique was happy to see that a rainwater system is used to wash the buses, and that freight containers recycled by George Link staff themselves, now serve as training facilities, and shortly even a canteen.
The Junior City Council (JCC) members, accompanied by their mayoral representative, Councillor Liza Stroebel, enthusiastically blew into the breathalyser at the security entrance to the depot, most impressed by the zero-tolerance policy of entrance to the premises when under the influence of alcohol.
The George Junior City Council found the educational visit to the GO GEORGE bus depot most insightful and promised to encourage more young people to make use of the bus service. For quite a few, the bus trip after their depot tour was their first trip on a GO GEORGE bus.
According to Junior Mayor Inilé du Toit, the members who rely on the buses to get to school were ecstatic to see the inner workings of the bus service, while those who are not so familiar with the buses, were very excited to have their first bus ride after conclusion of the depot tour.
"We were very impressed by the extent to which the buses accommodate all people, no matter what their physical needs or abilities are," she said.
"We as the JCC will certainly encourage more people to make use of the Go George buses as it is a cost-effective and more environmentally friendly way of transport. The depot visit was an overall positive learning experience and will remain a highlight for the JCC this year."
Junior councillor Talita van Eeden (right) takes a breathaliser test from security officer Doris Mjoli. Witty remarks flew around as each member of the visiting delegation had to blow into the breathalyser that tests the alcohol levels of every person that enters the depot.
Councillor Liza Stroebel (centre) acts as mayoral presentative in the Junior City Council and helped with arrangements on their side to make the visit to the bus depot possible. With her are, from left: James Robb (Go George manager), Haydn Wentzel (Junior Municipal Manager), Inilé du Toit (Junior Mayor), Miss Planet International, Monique Best, and Jalaser Bosman (Junior Speaker).
Miss Planet International, Monique Best, took a closer look at the AdBlue additive that limits toxic emissions when added to the diesel in GO GEORGE buses.
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