GOVERNMENT has reassured employees working for eThekwini Municipality’s bus service-operated by private operator Tansnat, that the Council decision to establish a municipal entity to operate the bus service is still in place.
According to municipal spokesperson, Tozi Mthethwa, the Municipality is engaging with the operator and employee union representatives to reaffirm its commitment to the process.
“We are concerned about the welfare of staff and do not wish for them to panic,” she said.
The eThekwini Municipality Council resolved to establish an entity that will take over bus operations with effect from 1 July. However, the municipality has had to respond to two new developments which included the appointment of a new MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison in KwaZulu-Natal who requested to be given sufficient time to look into the matter.
“The City has also received a letter from National Treasury requesting the City to supply more information pertaining to the planned municipal entity. The relevant information was subsequently supplied to National Treasury,” said Mthethwa.
She said these developments had an impact on the deadline of 1 July that had been set, but the delay was not an indication that the City is reneging on its commitment of setting up a municipal entity.
“We had to deal with these new developments in order to make sure that the establishment of the entity is conducted and concluded in a manner that is compliant with all prescripts. The Intervention Team, which has been in place since February, has been very effective and the efforts to stabilise the bus service are bearing fruits,” she said.
Commuters are urged to make alternative travel arrangements during the interruption of the bus service while the City works to ensure that operations resume soon.
“The Municipality apologises to all commuters for the inconvenience caused,” she said.
