Changing lives:
The Community Transport Support Programme
GOLDEN Arrow is committed to giving back to the communities which it serves, and our flagship Community Transport Support Programme embodies this spirit of giving.
The Community Transport Support Programme is an extension of the Golden Arrow Foundation’s Grassroots Programme which, through the HCI Foundation, has grown from seven beneficiaries in 2005 to more than 30 beneficiaries in 2021.
The award-winning Community Transport Support Programme has been a particularly successful collaboration between the foundation, Golden Arrow and a number of community programmes. The programme allows children from underprivileged communities to enjoy and participate in performing arts, heritage, sport and educational excursions; provides visual arts lessons for teachers and children and provides extra maths and science lessons for school learners.
One of the major beneficiaries of the Community Transport Support Programme is the Grassroots Adventure Bus Programme. The Adventure Bus Programme was officially started in 1974, but Golden Arrow’s predecessor, City Tramways, was involved with what was to become Grassroots as early as 1968.
Golden Arrow, through the HCI Foundation (which incorporated the Golden Arrow Foundation), contributes towards the actual transport costs for educational outings for some 385 pre-schools.
As a further contribution, a core group of Golden Arrow drivers from the Arrowgate, Southgate and Philippi depots volunteer their services three days a week while they are off shift. The drivers donate their time and skills free of charge in order to give thousands of historically disadvantaged children the opportunity to benefit from educational outings such as visits to the Two Oceans Aquarium, Philippi Adventure Farm, the Mini Blue Train and many other inspiring edutainment-oriented venues and activities.
Other beneficiaries of the Community Transport Support Programme include the Artscape Theatre, Amy Foundation, College of Magic, Ithemba Labantu, Magnet Theatre, Sisanda Fundaytion, Pauline Podbrey Foundation, Zip Zap Circus, Iziko Museums of South Africa and Jazzart.