Benny Makgoga, director of City of Joburg service promotions, stated that service operating times will also return to a 5am to 9pm schedule.
Makgoga said, “It has been difficult and frustrating times during the disruption of services caused by bus drivers’ work stoppage. In view of the long-term plans received from the bus operating companies Piotrans and Litsamaiso, the City is looking forward to sustained public transport operations that will meet the needs of residents and passengers.”
Commuters were left stranded on 2 February as Rea Vaya bus drivers went on an ‘unexpected and unprotected’ strike in the Johannesburg CBD.
Following the industrial strike, the Reya Vaya bus operating company, PioTrans/Litsamasio, dismissed 158 of its drivers. At the time, Piotrans spokesperson Dumisani Mntambo said the recruitment processes would commence on 16 February, but his statement did not go down well with the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu). They argued that the action was not fair to the workers.
On 27 March, Samwu revealed that they managed to negotiate the reinstatement of 65 Reya Vaya bus drivers. Speaking at a media conference, Samwu Greater Johannesburg Region deputy chairperson Vuyani Singonzo said the union was representing the Piotrans’ dismissed employees at the bargaining council. Singonzo said the conciliation process started on 23 March and was extended to 30 days to allow parties to mediate and resolve the mass dismissal of the drivers.
“As a result of the conciliation process, Samwu has successfully negotiated the reinstatement of 65 employees by the agent (Letsamaiso) operating under the Reya Vaya BRT system,” Singonzo said.
Rea Vaya routes that will operate from 13 April:
- T1 – Thokoza Park to Ellis Park
- T3 – Thokoza Park to Parktown and Library Gardens
- C1 – Dobsonville to Ellis Park East
- C2 – Indingiliza, Dobsonville to UJ Soweto Campus via Maponya Mall
- C3 – Inner-City and Braamfontein
- C4 – Windsor West & Cresta to Library Gardens
- C5 – Florida North to Parktown & Library Gardens
