Baz Bus is 10 years old

Baz Bus has come a long way since its launch in 1995 and recently celebrated 10 years in operation The 10th birthday celebration in Green Point, Cape Town, saw over 200 backpacker industry friends joining in the festivities, some from as far afield as Sweden, Australia and the United Kingdom. Backpackers prizes were donated from all over the country and Baz Bus tickets were raffled. Over R5000 was raised for a Baz Bus' office security guard, whose home in Khayelitsha had been gutted by fire. Both travelers and agents continue to pledge their support of Baz Bus in South Africa's growing backpackers tourism economy. While backpacking overseas, Barry 'Baz' Zeidel noticed hop-on hop-off buses in Europe and Australia and brought the idea home to South Africa, hiring an assistant to answer calls and drivers to take his buses between Johannesburg and Cape Town. The first two buses traveled from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, Durban, Johannesburg and Kimberley. Later more and smaller buses with trailers were introduced. No time limit was set on tickets as overseas travelers tended to have months to travel and sometimes went home between trips. For a while Baz Buses went to Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls but these days they go from Cape Town along the East coast to Durban and Johannesburg, via the Drakensberg Mountains and Swaziland. From twice a week in 1995 buses now travel daily between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and five times a week to Durban, 365 days a year. The growth of Baz Bus occurred simultaneously with the growth of the backpacking industry in South Africa. Port Elizabeth had once hostel in 1995, today there are nine. Numbers continue to grow and hostel standards can compete with the best in the world. Many hostels sprang up along the Baz Bus routes, offering an abundant choice of accommodation. Baz Bus is proud of its reliable reputation with international travelers and agents, its dedicated team of 40 staff around the country and its fleet of 19-seater semi-luxury Sprinters, all with TV and video and a trailer capable of carrying surfboards and bicycles. Baz Bus successfully transports more than 15 000 travellers each year.

Baz Bus now has three additional and exciting backpacking products: Baz Bus Flexi-Tour Adventure, Baz Bus' Cape Peninsula Tour and more recently Baz Bus' 7 and 14 day Travel Passes. The very latest is a 21-day pass. (See separate article.) For more information contact Renee Venter Tel: (021) 439 2323 or e-mail: renee@bazbus.com. The website is: www.bazbus.com

BAZ BUS INTRODUCES NEW 21 DAY TRAVEL PASS Baz Bus, South Africa’s only hop-on hop-off backpacker bus service is proud to introduce their new 21 day travel pass. Following the success of their 7 and 14 day travel pass launched in November 2004, Baz Bus has introduced this three week travel pass due to increased demand for longer ‘time-based’ tickets. Backpackers tend to travel longer than traditional tourists and often without a set itinerary.  The new 21 day travel pass provides more flexibility and convenience for passengers as they can start anywhere along Baz Bus’ route and travel in any direction, including backtracking, within their 21 day time limit. Baz Bus’ new travel pass starts on the first day of travel is valid for 21 consecutive days. Competitively priced at R2200.00, the 21 day travel pass allows passengers to hop-on and off at the door of their chosen hostel in over 40 towns and cities on Baz Bus’ route around South Africa and Swaziland. Further information on Baz Bus can be viewed on the website, www.bazbus.com  or by contacting Renée Venter at renee@bazbus.com, or on telephone (021) 439 2323.