Bus strike hits commuters hard

THOUSANDS of Easter commuters have been stranded along central routes in the Eastern Cape by the national road passenger strike.

Some 8 000 Mayibuye Transport Corporation (MTC) passengers were left without their ride when bus drivers joined the action later in the week, said Mayibuye spokeswoman Bongi Solwandle.

Travellers were abandoned in Komani (formerly Queenstown), Alice, Mdantsane, King William’s Town, Bhisho and East London.

Solwandle said: “All MTC buses are to remain off roads from Wednesday 12 April until further notice. It is imperative for us to inform you, our valued customer to seek for alternative mode of transportation during this period,” she said.

She urged commuters to make use of “alternative means of transport”.

Unions are demanding a 12% increase across the board, employers are offering 9%.

Ongoing negotiations between employers and five trade unions, the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu), Professional Transport and Allied Workers Union (Ptawu) and Transport, Allied Services Workers Union (Taswu), National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and Transport and Allied Workers Union (Tawu), have seen the employers rising from its initial 7.5% wage increase to 9%

Satawu shopsteward at MTC, Larry Busika said the strike would continue until their demands are met.

“Our demands include 12% increase across the board, permanent employment for temporary staff and an increase in overtime payment from R1 300 to R1 500.

“The employer has agreed on the 1.5% increase for overtime and is now offering 9%, but we can only accept a double digit increase,” said Busika.

Hombakazi Sinyahla, 60, who works in East London and lives in King William’s Town, was sitting on a bench at bus stop in Oxford Street said she had been forced to use taxis.

“I am a regular Mayibuye commuter. I heard on the radio that there was a bus strike so I had to prepare myself because I have to pay R30 instead of the R20 bus fare.”

Long-distance taxi diver, Thembisile Ginyi, said people were flocking to taxi ranks to get to Port Elizabeth, Butterworth, Mthatha and King William’s Town. — sisiphoz@dispatch.co.za