For the first time, long-distance coach operator Intercape has been spotted operating in Phuthaditjhaba, opening up direct transport links and economic opportunities for local informal traders.
The new route stops at the Shell Sedibeng garage on Mota Road as part of a service connecting Durban to Pretoria via Vereeniging, with stops in Kestell, Bethlehem, Reitz, Heilbron, Sasolburg, and Vanderbijlpark.
For local hawkers who frequently travel to major commercial hubs to purchase stock, the added transport option offers unprecedented convenience, comfort, and predictability.
Thandi Moloi, a clothing trader based in Setsing town, welcomed the long-distance service.
“We will now ride comfortable and reliable transport,” she said. “I get my stock from Johannesburg. Now things will be easier even in terms of time. Buses like Intercape have a reliable schedule.”
While street vendors stand to benefit from safer and more predictable stock runs, the arrival of Intercape intensifies competition among existing transport operators.
The region’s established passenger provider, Maluti Bus Service—operating since 1969 across 34 local routes including Phuthaditjhaba, Bethlehem, and Harrismith—continues to rely on its significantly lower tariff structure to retain everyday commuters.
Meanwhile, the local minibus taxi industry fears the additional long-distance carrier will erode thin profit margins.
A taxi driver anonymously expressed concern over rising operational costs, vehicle instalments, and proposed tax compliance, stating that the Qwaqwa United Taxi Association (QWAUTA) plans to engage relevant stakeholders regarding the growing pressure on operators.
Despite these industry concerns, the new long-distance connection marks a major boost for Phuthaditjhaba’s small-business owners, giving local hawkers faster, safer travel options to source goods and expand their enterprises.
