Gautrain bus crisis damaging: Sacci

Labour problems at the Gautrain bus service could damage South Africa's reputation, the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) said on Thursday.

"Apart from the inconvenience and cost to business because employees who use the train have difficulty in getting to work on time if they use the connecting bus service, the action poses a reputational risk for our country," Sacci CEO Neren Rau said in a statement.

The Gautrain bus service was suspended on Wednesday afternoon due to an illegal strike by bus drivers, the Bombela Concession company said.

The drivers had stopped work several times since the bus service started.

Last month, drivers went on strike because they wanted MegaExpress -- the Gautrain bus operating company -- to provide them with daily transport from their homes to their place of work.

Rau said the Gautrain ranked among the best transport facilities in the world.

"This reputation is at risk if the entire system, including connections to other modes, does not operate efficiently and effectively."

He appealed to the parties to urgently reach a resolution to keep South Africa's reputation intact.