Cape copes with Transnet strike

Striking transport unions and employers need to get their act together fast, Western Cape transport minister Robin Carlisle says.

He was addressing a media briefing on the first day of a nationwide Metrorail strike, which has meant thousands of commuters had to find alternative ways of getting to work.

Carlisle said he and other authorities in the province were "relatively unimpressed" with Transnet, the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) and the two unions involved in the Metrorail action and in the Transnet strike that began last week.

"It's not for us to direct how they should handle their affairs, but it is for us to note that they have grievously inconvenienced most of the people of the province, certainly of the city," he said.

However well the alternative transport options were working, the economy was seriously affected.

"Our message to them is get your act together and get it together fast," he said.

Working well

Acting director of the Cape Chamber of Commerce Albert Schuitmaker told the briefing Cape Town businesses had reported that absenteeism in terms of people not being able to get to work at all had been "very very low, almost negligible".

There had been late arrivals but most businesses surveyed had reported that all their employees were eventually at work.

"A lot of businesses actually provided transport for their employees to get to work, which worked well, to the point that some employees arrived earlier than usually do," he said.

The City of Cape Town's executive director for transport Mike Marsden said that despite increased pressure on roads, there had been a relatively orderly morning peak, with no incidents of violence.

"We can only commend the commuters for a very orderly response to a very difficult situation," he said.

He said the city had expected some disruption of municipal services.

However there had been very good attendance by city employees, and services were unaffected.

Refuse collection was happening as normal.

Taxis and buses

General manager of Golden Arrow Bus Services Francois Meyer said the company had added another 200 trips to its normal morning 2000 by extending its peak hours.

It would do the same on Monday afternoon, he said.

Carlisle said taxis carried slightly more than buses, and between them, normally carried about half of Cape Town's commuters.

Taxis had increased their number of morning trips by at least half, he said.

"Basically, they're working with us in the nicest possible way," he said.

Metrorail shut down all its commuter operations in the province on Monday.

Metrorail acting regional manager Lindelo Matya said that by 10am no incidents of sabotage or intimidation had been reported.

He believed commuters had heeded the call to look for alternative transport.