Rea Vaya bus drivers strike without notice

Many Rea Vaya commuters were left stranded this morning when Rea Vaya drivers decided to park their buses and march to the City of Johannesburg offices.

This according to Benny Makgoga, director of service promotions at the City of Johannesburg.

Makgoga said they were experiencing a difficult day as the strike was sudden and they did not have sufficient information to provide comment.

“I cannot provide factual information about the strike, but what I know is that the drivers parked the buses along the Rea Vaya routes in the CBD and abandoned them,” said Makgoga.

Makgoga said the drivers were negotiating with the bus operating company Piotrans.

“They marched to our offices but the problem is the drivers are not employed by us, they are employed by the operating company so we couldn’t attend to them,” he explained.

Piotrans was unavailable for comment at the time of publishing.

In a statement, the City of Johannesburg stated that the strike will still be in effect tomorrow (3 February).

“The City apologises to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the disruption of services and advises passengers to use alternative transport,” the statement read.

Makgoga’s main concern was primary school pupils who commute to and from school without parental or adult supervision.

“I was heartbroken just thinking about the young children. Some of them only carry their smart cards without extra money. In situations like this, what are they supposed to do?”

Last year, Rea Vaya drivers protested against Piotrans on more than one occasion.

In April, Piotrans sought legal action against drivers who went on strike at that time, calling the strike illegal.