Amogelang Transport Services and Phumatra Transport Enterprises standing the test of time
Many BEE people transport companies established in the late 1990s did not survive the rigorous demands of providing reliable commuter services, turn a decent profit and simultaneously meet the tough criteria set by Department of Transport contracts.
One company that did sustain the test of time is Amogelang Transport Services and Phumatra Transport Enterprises. Paledi Legoabe manages the day-to-day business of both Amogelang and their second transport company, Phumatra Transport Enterprises.
“Just call me Pat,” says the gentle, but firmly spoken man. “When we reached out to Scania in 2001 to see what they could do for us, the whole Scania team jumped in. We were thrilled that they were prepared to take on an unknown client; take over and invest in our workshop at our Pampierstad depot so that we would not have to drive out-of-service trips – 100km to the nearest city for vehicle servicing and maintenance; train our drivers on their buses; and support us with their whole suite of fleet solutions.”
Amogelang ‘s fleet of over 100 buses are from the Scania stable, mostly the F94 4×2 220hp units
Pat smiles as he relates what makes Amogelang the success it is today, and why it’s easy to understand that their fleet of over 100 buses are from the Scania stable, mostly the F94 4×2 220hp units. “It’s about an open, honest relationship, build on trust and good business practice – it’s all about reliable service delivery – the core principle which guides our businesses.”
Amogelang provides ad hoc private hire services, such as their entire fleet of buses annually for the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Easter pilgrimage
Consistently good service delivery key to Amogelang’s success Amogelang has a multi-tiered business model, which covers routine commuter transport contracts. They are also servicing sub-contract staff transport in Upington and Harrismith; and provide ad hoc private hire services, such as their entire fleet of buses annually for the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Easter pilgrimage to Moria in Limpopo Province.
Various schools and churches make regular and routine use of the private hire services offered. Since May this year, the company has started its replacement of buses from Scania – the first four fitted by BUSCO, and 14 buses fitted by Marcopolo for the bus bodies. “These superb bus chassis are pedigreed F95 Scania 4×2 250hp units with full Scania drivetrains. Bus bodies will be a mix of Busco and Marcopolo commuter bodies,” says Pat.
“Despite some buses having run up 800 000km and still going strong, we have to trade in for new buses to maintain our reputation for reliable and safe transport.”
Amogelang’s Tshwane University of Technology contract is serviced out of their TUT ‘sleeping ground’, while the Free State and Northern Cape contracts are served from depots based in Vryburg and Pampierstad, where Scania has set up a service, maintenance and parts hub for the company.
“We’ve come to value the principles of strong, firm management and close control on costs and logistics,” says Pat. “However, we are ready to venture into new territory. Our plans include the long-distance intercity transport sector and the luxury coach tourist industry.
We believe we’ve learnt the hard lessons on-the-ground with our commuter services, and are suitably experienced for another bus and coach sector now.” Perhaps the luxury Scania Touring coach will be on the order books?
