Cape Town drivers not taking part in a strike

By Khanyisa Tabata
28 August 2009

Johannesburg will become the first city to launch the system which aims to provide state-of-the art public transport ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

However, some taxis associations have threatened to register their unhappiness with the BRT in a rolling strike action planned for next week, and have also threatened violence.

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said the city authorities will not bow to the threats.

She said the City of Johannesburg will also oppose any legal action by taxi operators to block the launch of the BRT.

The United Taxi Association Forum on Thursday lodged legal papers at the Pretoria High Court to have the launch of the BRT suspended. The forum wants the court to suspend BRT operations until further talks had taken place between the industry and government.

About 90 taxi drivers had been trained so far to drive the ReaVaya buses. According to the Premier, the Johannesburg BRT steering committee is engaged in further talks with taxi operators to have more drivers trained.

Government has also condemned threats of violence made by the taxi industry, against the implementation of the BRT system. In Cape Town spokesperson for National Taxi Alliance Mvuyisi Mente said they are not taking any part in any strike commuters can expect taxis on the road. Mente said they are still talking with the cities representatives about the BRT system.