Rea Vaya buses still not operating

Johannesburg - Rea Vaya buses were still not operating in Johannesburg on Wednesday after drivers abandoned them on Monday, the operating company Piotrans said.

"We are still not operating," said Piotrans general manager Dumisani Mntambo.

He said the drivers have not communicated their grievances to management.

He said management had sent a notice to them on Monday to return to work.

There was no response and on Tuesday, the company sent a final notice to them to return to work.

"No one came until after 08:00 today [Wednesday]. Now they are coming in to make representations to management."

Mntambo explained that because the drivers had not made any demands, there would not be any talks with them.

"Today, they will make representations to management on what happened on Monday, and why they should not be suspended," he said.

Around 160 Rea Vaya drivers [83%] abandoned their buses on Monday without explanation.

Mntambo said the public would be informed later in the day on when Rea Vaya operations would resume.

Dion Makhura, regional chairperson of the SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu), which is representing the drivers, said it was demanding a meeting with the Department of transport, as Piotrans falls under it.

"There are lots of issues, for now we not going to divulge the issues. The day we get the hearing, then we will divulge the issues," he said.

"Piotrans, they don't want to meet anybody. They must give us a hearing so that the drivers can say what the issues are. The department of transport must come and facilitate a meeting."