Action underway against bus drivers
About 100 metro bus drivers are facing disciplinary action for refusing to sell tickets to commuters.
Thabang Kuaho
Disciplinary proceedings are underway against Tshwane bus drivers who have refused to sell tickets to commuters paying in cash, the metro said on Wednesday.
Municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said about 100 drivers had been identified as culprits.
Since Monday, some SA Municipal Worker’s Union-affiliated drivers have been refusing to take cash, claiming that carrying money in the bus put them at risk of being robbed.
Mashigo said any employee of the metro who stayed away from work or did not comply with the basic conditions of employment act would have their salary docked.
“As we speak, these drivers still refuse to sell tickets to commuters.”
The metro remained committed to finding an automated fare-collection system for all its buses.
“But this does not mean we should be held to ransom. We have an obligation to take commuters to their desired destinations,” Mashigo said.
“The current ticketing system stays in place, commuters who wish to pay cash in the buses should not be denied that.”
Mashigo said if commuters were refused a ticket in the bus, they should report the matter to customer services.
“When lodging a complaint, commuters should quote the registration number of the bus, route and time. This will make it easier to identify the driver.”
Commuters could buy weekly and monthly tickets at identified sales points in Church Square Office and the BKS building in Pretorius Street.
“Unfortunately those sales points do not sell single trip tickets.”
Mashigo apologised for the inconvenience caused to commuters.
Commuter Sindisiwe Mashiya said she stopped using the service on Monday, after she was refused admission because she did not have a ticket.
“I did not bother after that incident. I went straight to the taxis,” he said
She said buses were reliable, comfortable, cheaper and closer to her work.
Mashiya said she understood it was risky for drivers to carry cash in the bus.
Another commuter, Sofia Smit, said she could still not board the bus of her choice as the driver refused to take cash.
“I have to wait for a later bus because that driver takes cash. Sometimes my husband takes me to work,” she said.
She said buying weekly or monthly tickets would be pointless for her because she did not use the bus every day.
SA Municipal Worker’s Union-affiliated drivers downed tools at the end of last month in protest against having to carry cash in the buses as this was a security risk.
The union’s regional secretary Mpho Tladinyane said at least 10 drivers had been attacked in buses by people who wanted to rob them of the cash.
Tladinyane said the union wanted the metro to introduce a cashless system in buses.
“Discussions with the metro on this matter have been ongoing for almost two years now,” he said.
Also read:
Tshwane bus drivers still refuse to accept cash
Tshwane bus drivers strike again
Tshwane bus drivers inconvenience commuters
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