Siyavuya Mzantsi
COSATU’S lawyers are preparing to file a class action lawsuit against Metrorail over the rail service’s 5.6 percent fare increase which kicked in this week, its provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich says.
Cosatu would also be leading a mass protest against Metrorail on July 12, he said yesterday. “We believe this action is in the interest of Cosatu members and has been compelled by Metrorail’s price increases and the general level of price increases in the economy from petrol to electricity to food prices.
“Metrorail has added insult to injury in the manner in which it treats commuters. We want the money, which commuters lost when using taxis and buses while they had train tickets, but could not use trains because of poor services.
“Workers lose money for arriving late for work due to the delays in the train services. When the train services are delayed workers and commuters must take buses and taxis to get to their destinations, which means extra costs on top of the cost of the weekly and monthly tickets.
“The financial prejudice workers suffered due to the unreliable service must be recovered from somewhere.”
Metrorail spokeswoman Riana Scott said it was aware of Cosatu’s move to approach the court. “We have consulted with our lawyers.”