Update as at 10.25am: The City of Cape Town issued this media release this morning, about the strike action by a group of drivers who are employed by Kidrogen, one of the MyCiTi vehicle operating companies: “The City of Cape Town condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the violence and intimidation by a small group of striking bus drivers who are employed by Kidrogen, a MyCiTi vehicle operating company (VOC). ‘The strike is illegal. Furthermore, violence is not a lawful or legitimate form of protest, no matter the reason for the grievances or unhappiness,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town, Councillor Brett Herron. Certain MyCiTi services have been disrupted since yesterday afternoon, with more disruptions to the service in Table View, Atlantis, Melkbosstrand and Century City during the peak hours of this morning, 30 October 2014. According to reports, some of these striking drivers have gathered at the Dunoon station this morning where they are blocking the dedicated red lane (BRT lane), preventing MyCiTi buses from operating. ‘Of even greater concern is the incident this morning at 05:23 at the Usasaza station where the illegal strikers stoned a MyCiTi bus. Law Enforcement officers escorted the MyCiTi buses early in the morning, but after this incident the City, in conjunction with the South African Police Service, decided to discontinue the service on this leg of the T01 trunk route until further notice. Buses operating on the T01 between the Civic Centre station and Usasaza (the last station on this route) are now turning around at the Wood station. Subsequently, the commuters at the following stations: Circle East, Potsdam, Killarney, Dunoon and Usasaza, are stranded because of the undemocratic, violent and unconstitutional behaviour by a small group of people who have no regard for the rule of law or their fellow residents who need to get to work or school,’ said Councillor Herron. The City is also alarmed by reports of intimidation at the Melkbosstrand station along the T03 trunk route where some of the striking drivers are intimidating their fellow colleagues who do not want to participate in their activities this morning. Furthermore, a MyCiTi bus has been left stranded at the platform at the Omuramba station in Montague Gardens this morning, partially blocking the dedicated red lane (BRT lane) used by buses on Routes 251 and T03. The City, in collaboration with Law Enforcement and the South African Police Service, will closely monitor the situation during the day. The services along the T01 and to Century City will only continue as per normal once the violence has stopped. ‘While the drivers’ grievances are a matter between the employer (Kidrogen) and its employees, the City is extremely concerned about the impact of the strike on commuters, as well as the damage done to our buses. We cannot allow this sort of behaviour where employees use violence and intimidation to air their grievances. There are peaceful avenues, as stipulated by our country’s extensive labour laws, to resolve any disagreements in an amicable manner. We urge those who are involved to return to the negotiation table and to work together to find a solution,’ said Councillor Herron. The City is dealing with the strike and passengers should please take note of the following: • Buses along the T01 route will turn at the Wood station until such time that it is safe to resume with the service to Dunoon and Usasaza. • Route 251 from Omuramba station to Century City via Montague Gardens is operating a limited service. • Commuters should please note that the services along the T03 trunk route from Omuramba station to Atlantis and the T01 between Table View and the Civic Centre station are affected by the illegal strike. Drivers from the other two VOCs are assisting to alleviate the disruption, but commuters must be aware of the fact that there will be delays for as long as the strike continues. • The services along the feeder routes in Table View (Routes 213, 214, 215, 216 and 216) and Atlantis (Routes 236 and 239) are also affected, but operating a limited service. • Additional buses are being dispatched to the Civic Centre to assist in ensuring that commuters will not be stranded during the afternoon peak hours. • Station staff at the Civic Centre and along the trunk route will inform passengers of delays. The City apologises for the inconvenience caused and requests commuters to please be patient. Commuters can contact the Transport Information Centre 24/7 on 0800 65 64 63 for the latest information regarding the service, or follow @MyCiTibus on Twitter, or visit our Facebook page ‘MyCiTi Integrated Rapid Transit System’.”
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 08:27:45 +0000
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