Only 42 out of Metrorail’s 140 weekday trains were running in Durban on Monday, because of a strike by Transnet workers.
”The Durban region has arranged 53 special buses to augment the current limited train service … it will give preference to passengers with monthly and weekly tickets,” Metrorail spokesperson Thandi Mlangeni said.
Day travellers were encouraged to use alternative transport. The service would only run between 4am and 9am, and again between 2pm and 8pm.
Tshwane, the Witwatersrand, the Western and Eastern Cape were running trains as normal.
The strike by the four unions at Transnet, over proposed restructuring, also slowed operations at the Durban and Richard’s Bay harbours.
”We’re running at 65% service in the Durban container terminal. In Richard’s Bay it’s also around 65%, according to the preliminary report,” spokesperson John Dludlu said.
He said management at the ports was in talks with striking workers over where they could picket.
The company had a ”very comprehensive” contingency plan, which would enable Transnet to handle more cargo during the course of the day.
The United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) said about 15 200 workers from all four unions involved in the dispute were on strike at both ports.
”We’re 100% satisfied [with the strike]. There are very few trains and very little operations in the harbours,” Utatu spokesperson Steve Harris said. ”The workers are united. They will not capitulate at this point.”
In a joint statement on Friday, the four unions said Transnet’s management was moving ahead with the transfer of companies out of Transnet before negotiations had been concluded.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union, the South African Railways and Harbour Workers’ Union, and the United Association of South Africa were also involved in the strike. — Sapa