Students protest over inefficient shuttle service
DASO-aligned students at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University want the institution to pump R5-million more into shuttle services, claiming that students often missed tests due to inefficient transport.
When the buses and taxis that take students to and from classes ran, they claimed, they were late and skipped some stops – leaving many students stranded.
Shuttles from areas like Missionvale and Uitenhage are scheduled for 6am, 8am and 10am. Later runs are at 1.30pm, 3.30pm and 5.30pm and 8pm, and the last one at 10pm.
Between north and south campuses, buses and taxis run every 15 minutes. During examinations, the last shuttle service is at noon.
The students want the shuttles to run more frequently.
DA MP Yusuf Cassim, the DA Youth leader, led about 250 students on a march yes- terday to deliver a memorandum calling for improvement in shuttle services.
The students also claimed that shuttle service drivers were rude and assaulted them.
However, the Port Elizabeth and Districts Taxi Association (Pedta), which provides the shuttle service, denied these allegations.
Pedta chairman Sandi Mbona said: “Nothing of that sort has ever been reported to [our] complaints office.”
Cassim, addressing the stu- dents in front of the Embizweni Building, said R5-million was needed to make the shuttle service efficient.
“The university must also take a stand against service providers. They cannot threaten us with violence.”
He said university-sanctioned private taxi operators were charging students exorbitant tariffs.
Most students must pay a fixed monthly amount, while those with National Student Financial Aid Scheme bursa- ries have transport passes.
Blunden Coaches bus owner Shaidi Blunden said no students had laid complaints.
“I will not tolerate bad behaviour and assaulting students. I will be the first one to lay a charge against a driver.”
NMMU deputy vice-chancellor Dr Sibongile Muthwa, who received the memorandum, encouraged students to report unprofessional behaviour by drivers. The institution would cut the service if the allegations were true.