By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit:Antonio Muchave.
Rea Vaya bus service is now fully operating after strike that has left commuters in Soweto and parts of Johannesburg stranded over the past two days.
The bus service has faced a number of challenges in the past couple of months.
In September, commuters were left stranded following disputes between PioTrans and the bus drivers.
The latest suspension of services is said to be due to non-payment of October salaries.
The National Union of Mineworkers South Africa (Numsa) has condemned the City of Joburg for its failure to pay operating companies PioTrans and Litsamaiso.
In a statement, Numsa spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said has impacted bus drivers who have not been paid their October salaries.
“This failure to pay the bus operators means that workers at Rea Vaya have not been paid! The salaries for this month have not yet been paid and they were due to have been paid by the 25th of October. This has been a problem since the beginning of the year where the City fails to pay, and so workers stay home, and passengers are left stranded. This is incompetence on a grand scale,” Hlubi-Majola said.
They were meant to receive their salaries on 25 October.
Rea Vaya spokesperson Benny Makgoga says the affected routes are now operational.
SERVICE UPDATE
Rea Vaya bus service is now fully operating , from 5am to 21h00 weekdays and 6am to 19:00 on weekends @CityofJoburgZA @MMCKennyKunene @Kenny_T_Kunene .^BM pic.twitter.com/yrjcLYAV5X— Rea Vaya Bus Transit (@ReaVayaBus) November 2, 2023
“Rea Vaya Phase 1A buses T1, C1, C2, C3 and feeder buses (F1, F2, F3, F4 & F5) are operating today. We thank passengers for their patience as we were unable to provide services for all the routes for the past few days.”
However Numsa accused Rea Vaya of sending misleading reports on social media on their efforts to resolve the matter.