Hartbeespoort has party venues, party people, party boats… and now finally a party bus!

“Sampie”, the Upperdeck Bus, made its maiden voyage around the Hartbeespoort Dam this week and needless to say, attracted a lot of attention. This former double-decker passenger bus has been lovingly restored by Upperdeck Restaurant and turned into a fun venue on wheels for leisurely and one of a kind trips around the Hartbeespoort Dam.

The Sewende Laan soapie actor, Marcus Muller, who will be your host on the bus, promises that this will be a trip to be remembered. “I was visiting Upperdeck quite a while ago and we were just talking when I remarked that it was so sad the Upperdeck’s icon, the red bus built into a wall at the restaurant, was just sitting there. It should be on the road, having fun. Well, an idea was born and finally here is Sampie!”

And the unusual name Sampie? Marcus laughs. “Sampie with the six wheels… it is a ridiculous name but that is exactly what we wanted. It suits the bus – an old man with shiny new shoes.”

Marcus and partners Willem Gravett and Wynand Mouton, together with Upperdeck, have great plans for “Sampie”. “It is going to be fun trips to nowhere,” he laughs.

They offer a variety of packages. “We will have sightseeing tours, where visitors can board the bus with ‘padkos’ and beverages, and enjoy the trip with good music. We also plan open air movie nights with a movie screen against the bus, where people can enjoy a picnic while watching good movies. All you need to do is bring your blanket.”

The bus will also be a perfect vehicle for travelling functions such as birthday and bachelors/bachelorette parties. Bingo and karaoke evenings are also on the cards.

“It is a fun bus, with the emphasis on fun.” The bus can take up to 25 people inside and on the open air upper deck. Bus passes range from R350 – R450. A first class pass buys you 8 beverages, 2nd class at R400 buys you six and in 3rd class you will be able to consume four for R350.

And to celebrate “Sampie”, lucky followers of The Upperdeck Bus Facebook page and Instagram, can win an ‘All expenses paid’ scenic trip for two around Hartbeespoort Dam. All you have to do is visit the social media pages and follow instructions.

For more information, visit the www.theupperdeckbus.co.za, The Upperdeck Bus on Facebook and Instagram, or contact 076 133 1090.
So step right up, jump on and enjoy the ride!