Johannesburg commuters were left stranded yesterday, and traffic chaos clogged up the CBD, as Rea Vaya bus drivers deserted their buses in what was then called an unprotected strike. Drivers have continued to withold their labour this morning, and Rea Vaya’s operating company, Piotrans, is planning disciplinary action.
According to Piotrans spokesperson Dumisani Mntambo, only 20 percent of Rea Vaya bus drivers are at work across Johannesburg today. However, the operating company does not consider the current suspension of service a strike because no demands have been received from drivers.
As a result, Piotrans has no plans to engage with drivers, who reportedly abandoned company assets as they deserted their vehicles on Johannesburg’s streets. Instead, the company will announce its plan going forward after an executive committee meeting on 3 February. The issue may take anything from two days to a week to resolve.
“We regret giving shoddy service to passengers. We hope to improve the service,” said Mntambo.
Meanwhile, Rea Vaya passengers have responded with frustration to a situation that affects their pockets as well as their daily commute.
“Apologise se voet maan: I am sooo mad, my child went to school and was stranded without transport coming back, and what if something bad [happened]… while waiting for me for [two-and-a half-hours]…! [You] people don’t know how to run this business, you are far from being like Gautrain!” Nthabi Gaby Gabriel responded to a Rea Vaya Facebook post announcing continued service disruption.
Many have demanded compensation, saying they pre-loaded fares onto bus cards, only to be forced to pay for alternative transport.
“Rea Vaya strikes are the most common of all transport services in the province. This tarnishes the reliability of Rea Vaya as a mode of transport. As commuters we exhaust our transport moneys by loading trips in advance in our cards for the entire month then [are] told to make alternative arrangements… We appeal to Rea Vaya management to find a lasting solution to these recurring strikes,” posted Xolani Mtimkulu.
Rea Vaya spokesperson Benny Makgoga said the City is aware of passengers’ concerns, and has been in direct contact with customers. While stressing that the ‘strike’ is a matter between Piotrans and its employees, Makgoga reassured commuters that a solution is being investigated.
Related article: Rea Vaya strike brings inner city to a standstill
