Metrobus drivers end strike

Johannesburg - Metrobus said on Tuesday that it had reached a settlement with striking drivers to end the three day work stoppage.

Metrobus, which had suspended services on 229 routes, said services would resume Wednesday.

Spokesperson Virgil James said “They will report for duty on Wednesday and expect full operations by Thursday.”

Bus drivers went on strike on Friday over the engagement of a private company to supervise them and to check if passengers on their buses have tickets.

Metrobus drivers were up in arms because they said having an outside company do the inspection limited their careers as the also aspired to be inspectors.

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union agreed to Metrobus’s offer to train drivers to become inspectors – alongside officials from the contracted company – during the period of this contract, James said.

Metrobus, which is wholly owned by the City of Johannesburg, transports more than 90 000 people on 229 routes a day.

African News Agency