Johannesburg - The Metrobus strike, which as resulted in at least 200 routes being suspended, entered the third day on Tuesday.
Drivers went on strike on Friday because they were unhappy with Metrobus’s move to introduce an outside company to carry out inspection of buses including checking if passengers have tickets.
On Monday Metrobus said the work stoppage was an "illegal strike". The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) which represents the drivers initially distanced itself from the strike, but said it was holding meetings with Metrobus management to try and break the impasse.
Metrobus spokesperson Esther Dreyer on Tuesday said "It looks promising they are still negotiating and our expert team is in discussions with them.”
Dreyer apologised to commuters who have been left stranded with no clear indication when the service would resume.
“We know passengers are not very happy but we will do everything in our power to get the buses back on the road,” she said on Monday.
The City of Johannesburg, which wholly owns Metrobus, also apologised for the suspension of the service which it said has affected 229 routes.
African News Agency