DA calls for speedy resolution to bus strike

23 April 2018

The DA calls on the employers in the bus industry and transport industry unions to reach a speedy resolution to end the transport strike, which is entering its sixth day.

According to a statement issued by the transport unions involved in the strike, the wage negotiations started in January but there has been a delay in reaching a final wage increase agreement, which has led to the deadlock.

This industrial action is having a negative impact on both our economy and commuters. Thousands of commuters have been left stranded or have had to find alternative transport to work.

In many cases, commuters who rely on the bus service have had to fork out extra money, which they can ill afford.

In Gauteng, university students who rely on the Mega Bus to get to and from campus have been left stranded, while some school children were also affected.

We cannot have a situation where the education of our learners and students is comprised because they are unable to get to school and our economy cannot be hamstrung because of this wage deadlock.

Despite the fact that unions have the right to strike, both the unions and the bus industry must consider the impact of this strike and how it affects the lives of ordinary South Africans who rely on buses as their mode of transport on a daily basis.

The DA hopes that a speedy resolution will be reached and that bus services across the country resume as soon as possible.

Issued by Fred Nel, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport, 23 April 2018