Cape Town - Cape Town commuters are the ones who are suffering as result of the bus drivers’ strike, said Cape Chamber of Commerce president Fred Jacobs on Monday.
Jacobs urged unions to reach an agreement “soonest” to bring an end to the strike, now in its second week.
The transport strike, which has seen the city’s major bus services, MyCiTi and Golden Arrow, being suspended, has added to traffic congestion.
On Thursday, talks aimed at ending the national bus drivers’ strike deadlocked again.
The unions have softened their demand from an 18 percent increase to 13 percent.
Employers met this with an 8 and 7.5 percent offer for different income tiers.
SA Transport and Allied Workers Union spokesman Vincent Masoga said another meeting with employers was to take place on Monday.
Jacobs said that while the strike action had caused delays and disruptions for businesses in the city centre, he had not received any major negative reports from local companies.
“We are hearing that employees are eager to get to work, and they find a way to do it and get in on time.”
But finding alternative transport to work was taking its toll on people financially and emotionally, he said.
“The mental stress, the whole issue of money - it can only add more fuel to the fire as far as the impact of the strikes is concerned.”
Commuters were suffering most because of the strike, Jacobs said.
Jacobs said a “snap survey” would be conducted on Wednesday to determine the full impact the strike has had on businesses.
It was chaos on Blaauwberg Road in Table View on Monday morning as commuters ran into gridlocked traffic into the city.
Cars were seen driving on pavements and speeding down open bus lanes.
“Traffic out of Blouberg is a complete joke this morning!” tweeted @Stormmascall3m.
“What is going on in Tableview (sic)? Lane closed for no reason, cars in bus lanes, cars on pavements!” chirped in @StueyMx2m.
City traffic spokeswoman Merle Lourens said that while heavy congestion on Blaauwberg Road was a common sight, the strike action had exacerbated the problem.
Additionally, a burst water main on the road resulted in one of the lanes being closed off.
“I hope that everyone drives responsibly so that there aren’t any accidents that will just cause more delays.”
Cape Argus