Crash follows problems with firm’s bus last year

WITH reference to the horrific bus accident involving the EP junior squash team (“‘Please help us’”, July 3), I find it extremely sad that this has had to happen.

Last year my sons travelled to KZN on the same Van Rensburg Transport, their bus broke down numerous times and they were stranded for more than five hours at one point.

The Herald covered this story (“Bus nightmares delay teams”, July 8 2014) and many letters were written by parents concerning this instance and others involving this bus company.

These letters were published in your newspaper.

We, as parents, contacted the Department of Transport and the traffic department in order that inspections and maintenance schedules could be checked to prevent this happening in the future.

Nothing was done by the authorities and now this horrific accident which will leave these children emotionally scarred for life has occurred.

Upon contacting Mr Van Rensburg last year when my son’s bus broke down he was verbally abusive towards us parents and told me: “I don’t know what you are so worried about, lady, it’s not like anyone died”.

Well sir, this time it came very close to that. Maybe now you will start taking notice of the service you offer your clients.

EP sport also needs to update its policies regarding transport. We are told that our children have to travel by bus to the various destinations to “save costs”.

No sporting body should be allowed to dictate how your child is transported.

This policy is unacceptable.

Name withheld, Port Elizabeth