If you logged in to Twitter or Facebook this morning, you probably would’ve noticed the hashtag #BusStrike trending across South Africa.
Employees of the country’s larger bus operators are partaking in strike action today, that is until demands for a 12% wage increase are met.
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The strike has left a number of commuters across the country’s urban and rural hubs stranded or searching for alternative transport, as a slew of popular services were suspended. This includes Cape Town’s MyCiti and Johannesburg’s Rea Vaya.
The #BusStrike affects a number of services across South Africa, including Cape Town and Johannesburg’s inner city networks
As a result, commuters were forced to line up for taxis, catch a train or simply stay at home for the Easter weekend.
The Golden Arrow central terminus in Cape Town’s CBD was devoid of people and buses this morning.
#BusStrike The Golden Arrow bus terminus in Cape Town is deserted. Not a bus in sight. LI pic.twitter.com/DVe35Bu0Ys
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 12, 2017
Other areas in the city were experiencing abnormally high commuter numbers, like Bellville and Khayelitsha’s Site C taxi ranks.
[EARLIER] Commuters being shoved in a taxi that appears to be overloaded at Bellville taxi rank, Cape Town. (Cred: @Lynne_Joy) #sabcwc pic.twitter.com/IjocpzuRh4
— Sphiwe Hobasi (@MrCow_man) April 12, 2017
Khayelitsha Site C taxi rank
@Unathi_Kwaza #BusStrike pic.twitter.com/CCtjGvMVjw — Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) April 12, 2017
Golden Arrow Bus Service I miss you already
. #BusStrike pic.twitter.com/1IcYamwfUp — yonela bungane (@Nella_Bungane) April 12, 2017
Some people, who couldn’t access any trains or taxis, were left stranded.
My Cape Town people, how are you commuting today since #MyCiti downed tools? My area doesn’t have taxis or train
— Mary-Jane Mphahlele (@Mary_JaneSA) April 12, 2017
One of the city’s major arterial routes, Klipfontein Road, was also the scene of active demonstrations.
#busstrike over 100 striking workers now marching down Klipfontein road. They are protesting over wages & working conditions @GroundUp_News pic.twitter.com/cN13Cyqzbr
— Ashraf Hendricks (@AshrafRSA) April 12, 2017
In Gauteng, the Gautrain remained operational, but its accompanying bus service was suspended indefinitely. Many used the high-speed train service this morning to travel to Pretoria’s CBD, partaking in the #NationalDayOfAction protests.
@TheGautrain please ensure that the #busstrike issues are resolved, this has made using #Gautrain so inconventant.
— Makhosazana Dubazana (@khosimka) April 12, 2017
Some long distance bus services were not affected, but this offered no relief for some travelling between cities.
— Intercape (@IntercapeBus) April 12, 2017
Long distance commute doesn’t seem to be affected by #busstrike here at #ParkStation with the exception of #Greyhound busses pic.twitter.com/BPwIv9j9aP
— Belinda Pheto (@BelindaaPheto) April 12, 2017
Commuters in East London are fuming saying their long distance travelling plans have been compromised by the nationwide #busstrike #sabcnews
— Siseko Kondile (@SisekoK) April 12, 2017
The national #BusStrike will continue indefinitely as talks between unions and companies set to take place at 2.30pm SAST Wednesday.
#BusStrike meeting between unions and bus companies set for 2.30pm today.
— SATAWU Media (@SatawuMedia) April 12, 2017
Feature image: Warrenski via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0, resized)
