Bus commuters still stranded in city
Thousands of bus commuters have been forced to seek alternative transport for the sixth day as striking drivers bring the city to a standstill.
Stephané Bothma
Both the Tshwane Bus Service (TBS) and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) A Re Yeng have been crippled by a strike.
TBS employees not participating in the industrial action were being intimidated into staying away by A Re Yeng drivers and staff, metro spokesman Lindela Mashigo said on Tuesday.
“The TBS and A Re Yeng happen to share the same depot. So, while only BRT employees are on strike, they prevent the city bus service from operating,” he said, adding that drivers and commuters were being threatened.
Tshwane mayoral spokesman Blessing Manale said on Monday the industrial action was illegal.
He said the action resulted from of a recognition dispute between drivers from the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union and their SA Municipal Workers’ Union colleagues, who had been on strike since last Monday.
“We regret that the strike action has resulted in a total disruption of the bus services, and urge commuters to consider alternative transport means, as we continue to engage the workers’ representatives, and enforce interdicts,” Manale said.
“We will proceed with the appropriate legal action to ensure that workers wishing to return to work are not intimidated and that our commuters are safe and continue to benefit from a reliable municipal bus service.”
DA spokesman for transport Francois Bekker urged the metro to get the buses back on the road.
He said the BRT had to be redefined as there was nothing rapid about it and no commuters had been transported by this service since Wednesday last week.
“This flagship entity, extremely expensive and supposedly a grand solution to all transport needs and problems in Tshwane, the A Re Yeng bus service, is entering its sixth day of non-service today,” he said.
“Again, the Tshwane mayor’s arrogant advice to residents of Pretoria to get out of their cars and make use of public transport is blowing up in his face.”
He called on the Tshwane metro to show leadership and get the buses back in service as soon as possible.
Also read:
Tshwane bus drivers still refuse to accept cash
Tshwane bus drivers inconvenience commuters
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