There’s method to Transnet’s shunting ‘madness’
I know I am not helping much to solve your problem, but at least now you know that there is a method to their 'madness'.
EDITOR – I would just like to explain to the person who wrote the article in the edition of 21 August.
Do not think that I am trying to be sarcastic, but you are not fighting a losing battle but you’ve lost a war.
The reason I say that is because there are too many factors they did not mention to you. Firstly every shunt is ordered by the client, by means of a works order that stipulates the time they want trucks to be placed or cleared from the sidings. You have your shunt cars as well as haulers that are responsible for trains.
Secondly the drivers do not honk their hooters to wake up the people. This is a train working rule, to warn anybody inside, on top of or busy under trucks. When they go over road crossings, they must use their hooters to warn oncoming traffic.
Thirdly Transnet pays millions of rands on nightshift allowances. You really think they are going to waste all this money to let people work during the night? The main reason for this is the number of ships in the harbour that must be loaded or offloaded. Transnet pays penalty fees for each ship that is waiting and this may run into millions.
I know I am not helping much to solve your problem, but at least now you know that there is a method to their ‘madness’.
I worked for this firm for 40 years, which is why I know.
PIETER FOURIE
