Metrobus stayaway ‘disrespectful’ towards commuters - Kunene

JOHANNESBURG - Joburg's Transport MMC Kenny Kunene says he's in talks with both City Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda and City Manager Floyd Brink to address the ongoing Metrobus stayaway.

Commuters have been left stranded for a third day after drivers affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) refused to operate buses on Wednesday.

The stay away affected all routes from Wednesday afternoon, with residents lamenting the bus service's poor communication.

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• In wake of strike, Metrobus says it's working hard to restore operations
• SAMWU to Metrobus amid stayaway: 'Come and address workers' grievances'

SAMWU vowed to continue its stayaway until an agreement was reached with Metrobus management. Metrobus said it had suspended operations indefinitely to avoid any violence towards passengers and other drivers.

Kunene said one of the demands made by striking workers was the reinstatement of former employees fired for stealing from the company.

Hesaid drivers abandoning their duties was an indication of disrespect towards commuters who rely on the bus service, and that decisive measures needed to be taken on the matter.

But despite Metrobus management announcing its drivers have embarked on an unprotected strike, commuters in Johannesburg have gathered at the nerve centre of its operations in the inner city.

Some buses are operational, however, residents told Eyewitness News on Friday that this was not the full fleet, as some of them have been waiting with no certainty that their bus would arrive.

Some routes are operational including Honeydew, Roodekrans, Olivedale, and Kya Sands.