Tshwane Bus Services Depots Run Out of Fuel, Commuters Urged to Plan As Daily Shifts Disrupted

• All three of Tshwane Bus Services' depots have officially been affected by the ongoing fuel crisis affecting the country
• The country has been hit with fuel shortages amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, sparked by the attacks on Iran
• Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC), Tlangi Mogale, has urged commuters to arrange alternative transport during the crisis
• Briefly News spoke to a manager at a bus service in KwaZulu-Natal who explained how they were affected by the fuel crisis

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

GAUTENG – All three of Tshwane Bus Services' depots have run out of fuel.

Tshwane’s Roads and Transport Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC), Tlangi Mogale, confirmed the news as the ongoing fuel crisis wreaks havoc across the country.

Read also

“You make ANC look bad": Helen Zille pothole snorkel stunt forces City of Johannesburg into action

The fuel crisis has been sparked by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which started on 28 February 2026 when the United States and Israel attacked Iran. Iran retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.

Tshwane depots run out of fuel

On 31 March 2026, Mogale confirmed that the three depots had run out of fuel.

The Tshwane Bus Services operates a total of 155 daily shifts across its three depots. The C de Wet depot accounts for 102 shifts, the Pretoria North depot accounts for 31 shifts, and the East Lynne depot has 22 shifts.

On Monday, 30 March 2026, only 65 of the 155 daily shifts were operational, and that dwindled on 31 March as the fuel supply lessened. Mogale has now pleaded with commuters to make necessary arrangements to reach their destinations during this period.

KwaZulu-Natal bus service also feeling the effects

The fuel shortage issues are not just affecting Tshwane, as a depot in KwaZulu-Natal is also feeling the effects. Speaking to Briefly News under the condition of anonymity, one manager explained how the service was affected.

Read also

Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s husband reportedly in court over decades-long SARS drama

"Most of the filling stations have run out of diesel, and our stock has been depleted as well," he said.

National Taxi Alliance to increase fares

Briefly News also reported that the National Taxi Alliance warned commuters to expect the taxi fares to increase.

The taxi alliance made the statement ahead of the increase in the petrol price, which jumped up by R3.06 a litre.

South Africans took to social media to express concern about the impact the increases would have on their pockets.

Panic at the pumps as motorists queue for fuel

Briefly News also reported that motorists across South Africa were rushing to fill up before the fuel price increase took effect.

The panic buying triggered long queues, rising frustration, and fears of worsening shortages across the country.

Many motorists blamed the authorities for failing to subsidise fuel costs, warning that panic buying could deepen the crisis nationwide.

Source: Briefly News