NEWS: Taxi crush as bus strike bites
Commuters scramble for transport as nationwide drivers’ action takes toll
HUNDREDS of stranded Nelson Mandela Bay commuters were forced to make a dash for overcrowded taxis yesterday, with unions later declaring the nationwide bus strike effective. “[Today] we will be engaging the employers for negotiations,” SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) spokeswoman Zanele Sabela said.
“And the outcome of the meeting will determine whether we continue [the strike] or go back to work.
“It’s a pity this came at the expense of commuters.”
Algoa Bus Company drivers joined the strike, with the buses behind locked gates in Korsten yesterday morning, while the metro Integrated Public Transport Service (IPTS) was also suspended.
Yesterday, scores of workers were seen queuing at the Cleary Park Shopping Centre from as early as 6am.
Stanford Road traffic was backed up with overcrowded taxis.
Bus commuter Alicia Jonas, 33, of Bloemendal, said the strike was frustrating as it affected hundreds of people.
“I take the bus every day and when I got to the bus stop this morning, I found out there were no buses running,” she said.
“I wake up early and take the bus because it’s cheaper and more convenient, especially because I have to travel all the way to Walmer.
“It is frustrating having to take three taxis now, which increases our transport expenses as well.”
Jonas said the taxi rank at Cleary Park had been jam-packed since the early hours of the morning, causing a massive delay for all commuters.
“It is almost as if there aren’t enough taxis to carry the load,” she said.
A taxi operator, who declined to be named, said while the strike was good for business for the taxis, the buses still needed to play their part in lessening the load.
“This is not right. We are happy to transport the people, but the strike is also not fair on us,” he said.
The municipality’s roads portfolio head, Marlon Daniels, said the metro’s IPTS system had been suspended yesterday as a safety precaution.
“The IPTS buses will unfortunately not be running,” Daniels said.
Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber chief executive Nomkhita Mona said: “It [the strike] will undoubtedly have a severe impact on business, across all sectors of the city’s economy, if alternative transport options are not availed to the workers.
“The strike will especially have a harmful effect on the city’s manufacturing sector, and economic losses will also be felt in the services sector as employees fail to make their way to work.
“Disruptions to public transport can therefore cost the city’s manufacturing industries dearly.”
Meanwhile, a peaceful picket took place outside the Perl Road depot in Korsten, where dozens of workers wearing union shirts had gathered. Satawu provincial organiser Fumanekile Ngxitho said they were mindful of the effect the strike had on communities, but the wage issue had to be addressed.
“We have been engaging with the employer for the longest time on these wage issues but they do not want to come to the table on negotiations,” he said.
“They came with an offer of 7% for the first year, 7.25% for year two and 7.5% for the third, which is still too little.
“We feel very bad for the way this strike has affected communities but we know that at least people can get around with the help of taxis, so they are not completely stranded.”
National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) regional secretary Mziyanda Twani said improving working conditions for employees was their priority.