This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
GroundUp reports that Nelson Mandela Bay’s multi-billion-rand bus service has all but collapsed. Of the service’s 25 buses, no more than six are currently operating.
At least 13 are standing unused at the bus depot. Another six were recently repaired by a Volvo dealership, but the municipality has failed to pay the account. At its peak, the bus service transported more than a million passengers in one year, but by 2023, the number dropped to 104,000. Between August 2023 and May 2024 the bus service did not operate at all. In July this year, only three buses were operational, but another three appeared to have been returned to service in August. The municipality spent tens of millions of rands on refurbishing buses last year. Despite the refurbishments, ten buses broke down and had to go for further repairs, which cost an additional R5-million. A fleet of 200 minibus taxis was also procured from taxi associations, but they have now been declared unfit for use and have been decommissioned.
The bus system has been the subject of several investigations, including by the National Treasury and the Auditor-General, which found several corrupt contracts resulting in irregular expenditure and legal action. According to an employee at the Cleary Park bus depot, where the buses are stored, the bus service’s employees only work half days, and many don’t have anything to do. Meanwhile, bus stations along the Libhongolethu routes have been vandalised.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Joseph Chirume at GroundUp
Get other news reports at the SA LabourNews home page