SANTACO taxi strike strands commuters in Springs and Kwatsaduza
Hundreds of commuters were left without transport on Friday as SANTACO’s strike forced many to walk, hike or arrive late for work.
Hundreds of commuters from Kwatsaduza and Springs were left stranded on Friday morning after a move by SANTACO to strike.
“I could tell in the morning that there were no taxis because it was so quiet. That is when I started to worry about how I was going to get to work,” said Refiloe Kolobe, who commutes from Kwa-Thema to Springs daily.
Kolobe said she did not expect the strike to affect Springs.
“On Thursday we heard that commuters from other areas struggled to get taxis to and from work, but we had no issues in Springs,” she added.
She opted to use a local taxi to a different spot, where she found a taxi to Springs. Two commuters who wished to remain anonymous said that taxi drivers did not alert them that the strike would affect the area.
One woman from Langaville Ext 8 said that she did not know about the strike and works in Boksburg, which made returning home on 28 August a problem.
“It was a struggle coming home because we had to walk, and luckily we were able to get a lift that was coming this way,” said the commuter.
She added that her employer knew about the strike but could not assist her or other staff, as they live in the same area.
Another commuter said they had been at their stop waiting since 6:00. She added that she works in Benoni and was supposed to be at work at 6:30. The commuter also said they now have to rely on lifts, which can affect their budget.
“Yes, now I am getting a lift to work, but I am not sure if it will be available later to come back. I need to have a plan B,” she said.
Attempts to reach the Springs Taxi Association for comment were unsuccessful. In a statement that has gone viral on social media, the association endorsed the strike action.
It explained that the move is a reaction to the increase in altercations between taxi and Bolt drivers, which is placing both drivers and passengers at risk. The march was intended to find a better way of working together and to create a safer transportation industry.
ALSO READ: New chapter for Tsakani as headman Mbalekwa Mahlangu gets inaugurated
