Cape Town - There was little disruption to bus operations due to striking drivers, despite media reports stating otherwise, the City of Cape Town said on Monday.
Earlier in the day Independent Online (IOL) reported that thousands of commuters had to make alternative plans to get to work as bus drivers went on strike in the city and other centres.
According to the article, the worst-affected service in Cape Town was Golden Arrow.
Company spokesman John Dammert told IOL the strike notice by unions representing the company’s drivers had caused the company to effect a “lockout” of its employees.
The city said the MyCiTi bus service continued to run on a slightly reduced schedule.
The Table View feeder and trunk services were not affected, with buses departing the station every 10 minutes. Queues at stations were cleared quickly. In the inner city buses departed every 20 minutes, according to the off-peak travel schedule.
The Transport and Omnibus Workers Union, which represents most Golden Arrow employees, announced it would join the strike on Wednesday.
City councillor Brett Herron said users of the bus service could take trains.
“The use of Golden Arrow clip cards on the Metrorail trains is reported to be working well,” he said in the statement.
No reports of intimidation at any of the city's depots, nor threats of violence were recorded, said Herron. - Sapa
* IOL called the transport information service toll free number and was informed that there is no bus service in Cape Town on Monday and Tuesday.