Tshwane Bus Services has issued an urgent warning to commuters in Pretoria, saying several of its depots have run out of fuel, forcing a sharp drop in services.
Since Monday afternoon, the company says it has been operating far fewer buses than planned due to the fuel shortage. The result is a major disruption to daily travel for commuters who rely on scheduled routes to reach work, school, and other destinations.
In a statement shared with the public, Tshwane Bus Services explained that only 65 of the 155 scheduled shifts are currently taking place. That means many planned journeys are not being completed, leaving passengers stranded or needing to change travel plans at short notice.
The operator urged commuters to plan ahead and make alternative transport arrangements, emphasising that uncertainty around operations may continue while the fuel situation is addressed. For passengers heading out early, the advice is to avoid assuming that usual routes will run normally.
Tshwane Bus Services fuel shortage leaves commuters facing reduced schedules
The announcement highlights the scale of the problem within the public transport system servicing Tshwane and surrounding areas. With depots unable to fuel buses, fleet readiness declines quickly, and even routes that are normally dependable can fall behind schedule.
Tshwane Bus Services described the disruption as a direct outcome of the empty fuel depots. When fuel supply runs out, buses cannot depart, and dispatch teams are limited in how many services they can safely run. In practical terms, fewer vehicles on the road translate into longer waits and fewer options for passengers at transport nodes.
Commuters are now being encouraged to consider other means of travel, including tapping into alternative public transport services, adjusting departure times, or using different routes where possible. The aim, according to the notice, is to reduce the inconvenience caused by cancellations and missed connections.
Passengers who depend on bus timetables may also face cascading delays. When one service fails to run, it can affect the timing of subsequent trips, including transfers at interchange points. With the system already operating at reduced capacity, the ripple effect can be felt throughout the commuter network.
Local travellers are therefore advised to stay alert for updates from the service provider, particularly as they attempt to recover from the current interruption. While the statement focused on the immediate shortage, commuters are being asked to remain prepared for ongoing changes to service availability.
Another concern for riders is that the missing shifts are not evenly distributed across all routes. While the total number of running shifts is given, the specific lines affected can vary depending on which depots have been impacted and which routes have buses available to depart. That uncertainty is one reason the operator stresses the need for alternative planning.
For those managing tight schedules—such as workers with fixed start times or students with morning classes—re-routing may be unavoidable. Commuters may need to leave earlier than usual or coordinate pickup options to avoid being late.
Tshwane Bus Services is also implicitly signalling that restoring full operations may take time, given that the current interruption is tied to fuel supply rather than a temporary scheduling adjustment. Until depots receive sufficient fuel, the company’s ability to run the full 155 shifts will likely remain constrained.
In the meantime, commuters are advised to monitor communications carefully and factor in possible delays when preparing for travel. With the current service reduction, passengers may need to expect crowded alternatives or longer queues at departure points.
The fuel crisis in Pretoria has already disrupted Monday travel, with Tshwane Bus Services running only 65 of its planned 155 shifts since Monday afternoon, leaving commuters to urgently find other ways to get to their destinations.