Arrangements in place for Gautrain users during strike

The Gautrain management has released contingency plans for Monday morning when a workers’ strike begins.

Gautrain spokesperson Kesagee Nayager said the trains would run a reduced service starting at 5.45am and there would be additional security at stations. “The reduced service will consist of a peak period service between 5.45am and 9am, and between 4pm and 7pm between Centurion and Sandton every 12 minutes‚ and between Sandton and Park stations every 20 minutes. No service will be available during the off-peak period and only Centurion‚ Sandton and Park station will be open.

“All trains will be eight-car trains and operate in both directions (north and south).

“Buses will service only Centurion‚ Sandton and Park stations‚” said Nayager.

For airport and Rhodesfield passengers‚ Gautrain will operate a bus service between Sandton and Rhodesfield stations and a bus or midi-bus service between Rhodesfield and OR Tambo stations.

This service will operate from 5.45am to 7pm. A fixed fare of R21 per bus trip will apply.

Ticket offices at all stations will be closed and passengers are encouraged to use the ticket vending machines or to load value on the Gautrain website or app.

“Passengers with monthly or weekly train products that are affected will be refunded for lost trips and details will be provided later. Passengers can expect extended journey times on some trips‚” Nayager said.

Wage negotiations between the United National Transport Union (Untu) and Bombela Operating Company deadlocked over the weekend.

“Bombela offered an 8.5% increase in salaries and all benefits. Furthermore‚ the minimum wage for operational staff will be increased to R8‚500 per month. This offer was rejected by Untu whose latest demand‚ as communicated to the media‚ equates to a global increase of 19.5%‚” the company said.

Untu wants a 10% increase‚ a housing allowance of R1‚600‚ a transport allowance and an increase in the night shift allowance. – DDC