Slow take-up of Obs Party Shuttle

A SLOW start to the take-up of the Obs Party Shuttle, a bus for revellers who want to shuttle between Obs’s nightlife and party spots in town, has forced the owners to add additional routes to the service.
The Obs Party Shuttle, owned by local entrepreneur Hazel Waltons and driver Muhammed Bazier, now also goes to Claremont and Greenpoint.
The service was launched in July for those who want to "party responsibly" without having to worry about drunk driving. The original route formed a circle between Obs and the CBD on Friday and Saturday nights between 9pm and 4am.
Muhammed said recent bad weather contributed partly to the slow take-up, but many are still unaware of the service.
Muhammed says that Friday nights are busier, but only after 11pm and depending on the weather. He says that about 25 to 30 people use the shuttle at this hour and only 4 to 6 people use the shuttle at 10pm.
The minibus tends to fill up from Obs to the CBD, but not on the return trip. Revellers in Long Street, the main City Bowl destination for the bus, are not as familiar with the shuttle.
Saturday nights are less popular, with only six to eight regulars using the shuttle service.
He said because of demand, he now includes Claremont and Green Point. "If I have to, then I do," said Muhammed. He says this usually happens because Obs is quiet by 1am.
Petrol has increased, but Muhammed said the same prices remains. He charges R15 for a one-way trip to Town, R25 for a trip to Claremont from Obs, and R20 for a one-way trip to Trinity in Greenpoint.
Muhammed is positive that the service will pick up after exams and in summer. "You get your good week-ends and your bad week-ends," said Muhammed.