PRASA has launched 17 new City-to-City buses, marking the long-distance operation’s first new coach acquisition since 2010, according to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy.

The fleet was unveiled in Pretoria on Thursday, 15 October 2026. SAnews reports that the buses form part of a wider renewal programme intended to improve travel between cities, towns and rural communities.

New City-to-City buses bring safety upgrades

The coaches feature lane assistance, following-distance monitoring and stability systems. Creecy said driver monitoring and targeted training would support the rollout, while a control centre would oversee incidents during journeys.

These measures are intended to support safer travel. Their effectiveness will depend on how the vehicles are operated and maintained.

A programme targeting 95 coaches

In her published speech, Creecy identified the first batch as MAN coaches entering service this month. Government plans call for another 30 in the 2027/28 financial year and 48 in 2028/29. Including the initial 17, that would take the programme to 95 coaches, with renewal scheduled for completion by 2030.

The later batches remain planned deliveries. Creecy said the bus operation had undergone restructuring involving management, organised labour, PRASA’s board and the shareholder. It is intended to operate with separate finances and support itself financially.

What passengers still need to know

The announcement does not provide a detailed route-by-route rollout, new fare schedule or booking timetable. Travellers should confirm their departure times, ticket prices and service availability with the operator before making plans.

For passengers, the practical test will be dependable departures, affordable fares and access to the places they need to reach. The minister said the long-distance buses are intended to complement passenger rail over time.

Sources: SAnews’ fleet launch report and the Department of Transport’s published remarks, both dated 15 October 2026.

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