DESPITE setbacks, eThekwini Municipality is adamant the municipal entity set up to control bus operations will be fully functioning soon.
An entity was needed to take control of the bus operations following the driver strike at the end of 2015 leading into 2016.
The drivers were not been paid their salaries and refused to work until they had received their money, causing transport problems across the city.
An interim intervention team took the reins to ensure salaries were paid and the bus service was operational. The entity, which was meant to take over bus operations from Tansnat on 1 July, is meant to ensure the ongoing viability of the service.
The appointment of a new KZN MEC for transport, community safety and liaison who requested sufficient time to look into the matter and a letter from National Treasury requesting the municipality supply more information on the entity, meant the 1 July start date would not be met.
“We have to be realistic in our plans and recognise that attending to the two matters will impact on the deadline of 1 July, but this is not an indication that the city is reneging on its commitment of setting up a municipal entity.
We have started to deal with these new developments to ensure the establishment of the entity is conducted and concluded in a manner that is compliant with all prescripts,” said a press release from the municipality.
The city added that staff members working in the current bus operation company should not worry about their jobs.
“We will keep an open line of communication between all parties to ensure concerns are raised and attended to timeously.”
