TRANSPORT is a backbone of any thriving economy.
Thus, one is compelled to express that Intercity Xpress, a leading luxury coach operator transporting more than 1 million passengers annually across Southern Africa, unveiled Irizar i6S Efficient coaches as part of the new fleet reveal and brand expansion ceremony, this week.
A sign of a working economy, despite challenges associated within the transport industry.
Each at a cost of R8m, the busses were designed to do exactly what operators need— run efficiently, reduce costs, and at the same time offer a comfortable, high-quality journey for passengers, hence the chassis are manufactured in Brazil.
At the reveal pomp and ceremony held at the company offices in Centurion on Wednesday, amid the fanfare, guests were given the opportunity to inspect and tour the luxurious busses lined-up, as the sun soaked in, defying winter temperatures.
Representatives from other bus manufactures were in attendance to share in the excitement.
According to a very composed Riaz Paruk- managing director at Stabus, they took delivery of 8 MAN, four Mercedes Benz, two Marco Polo’s, 20 Yutong F9s and Six Yutong R9s.
“For us, as the company, this is our clear intention in increasing our luxurious fleet designed to contributing to safety aspect in our country, and secondly creating much needed jobs, and growing our market share within the transport sector,” Paruk told this reporter, whose exuberance was written all over his face.
In 2025 Paruk‘s company bought 100 electric busses from MAN- as part of investing in green technology and skills development in the country.
On both the Intercity Charter and Intercity Connect brings:
- Enhanced passenger comfort
- Improved safety features
- Modern onboard amenities
- Greater operational efficiency
- A premium travel experience
This investment demonstrates our long-term commitment to delivering world-class transport solutions to all our passengers, continued Paruk, accompanied by a wryly smile.
Asked on the relationship with other transport sectors, Paruk minced no words and reiterated, “We are happy with our long standing partnership with other transport modes, particularly taxi organisations throughout the country. We have a cordial understanding”.
On the unfortunate incidents that took place in the Eastern Cape with busses being attacked, he said this has not affected their business ‘but we pray for cool heads and hope the attacks on busses will stop, since we serve the same market as taxis’, he pointed out strongly.
On the safety of the busses and training of staff, he highlighted that all their vehicles are maintained by MAN, so are OEMs specifications and contracts.
“Our job is to get the nation on the road, safely and they handle all the technicalities which is their business.”
He also conceded that they have a drivers academy to help their operators and new intakes with professional driving skills, capacity, time management and courtesy.
It would be unjust for the company to have an operator whose wet behind his ears to sit behind an R8m bus, it can’t be, hence we provide classes for our drivers to be re-skilled time and again, says Paruk, who also bragged they have appointed six female into their technical department and some youngsters who are qualified to join the organisation.
On the footprint, the walking encyclopaedia Wynand JJ Van Nieuwenhuisen- CEO at the company, says their network will service more than 60 destinations throughout South Africa, while also extending into Zimbabwe, including Harare and Bulawayo, and now expanding into Maputo, Mozambique.
“From 2023 until now, our passenger base has increased by 300% and this is due to a good rapport we have with our loyal customers, who believe in our product offering and this result in job creation, which is our core value,” alluded Van Nieuwenhuisen, who said major cities in SA continues to be serviced.
On engaging with the likes of SANTACO, he did concede they do have dialogues on matters that need urgent attention, says Van Nieuwenhuisen, who swanked they provide services to the likes of CAF Champion League champs’ Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, The Lions and other visiting international teams.
As part of the company’s CSI, it provided a shuttle for free and provisions, for Football Association of Pretoria Primary Schools (FAPPS) in 2025, to partake in the inter-provincial tournament in Pietermarizburg, KZN.
Top Image supplied (On point. Riaz Paruk- managing director at Stabus, middle, and Sons at the reveal ceremony held at their offices in Centurion, this week.)
