The Gautrain is operating a reduced service as some of its workers embarked on a strike on Monday.
“Regrettably, wage negotiations between the operator of the Gautrain (the Bombela Operating Company) and United National Transport Union (UNTU), the recognised trade union, have deadlocked and as such workers affiliated with UNTU will embark on a no work, no pay strike,” Gautrain said.
The Bombela Operating Company has offered an 8.5% increase in salaries and all benefits. Furthermore, the minimum wage for operational staff will be increased to R8 500 per month.
Gautrain said the offer was rejected by UNTU whose latest demand, as communicated to the media, equates to a global increase of 19.5%.
“We have developed a contingency plan to operate a reduced service starting at 5:45am on Monday. Additional security measures will be implemented on the Gautrain system. The safety of passengers will not be compromised at any time,” Gautrain said.
The reduced service will consist of a peak period train service between 5:45am ‐ 9am and 4pm ‐ 7pm between Centurion and Sandton every 12 minutes, and between Sandton and Park stations every 20 minutes.
No train service will be available during the off-peak period and only Centurion, Sandton and Park station will be open. All trains will be 8-car trains and operate in both directions - North and South bound.
“Buses will service only Centurion, Sandton and Park stations for the above peak periods and follow the usual bus routes.
“To accommodate airport and Rhodesfield passengers, we will operate a bus service between Sandton and Rhodesfield stations and a bus or midi-bus service between Rhodesfield and OR Tambo stations. This service will operate from 5:45am ‐ 7pm. A fixed fare of R21 per bus trip will apply for this service,” Gautrain said.
Ticket offices at all stations will be closed and passengers are encouraged to use the ticket vending machines or to load value on the Gautrain website or App.
Gautrain said passengers with monthly or weekly train products that are affected will be refunded for lost trips and details will be provided later.
“Passengers can expect extended journey times on some trips and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience.
“Whilst we respect our worker's right to strike, striking workers must equally respect that their colleagues also have a right to work without intimidation. We will not condone intimidation or other criminal acts that result in damage to assets or that prevent workers from working,” Gautrain said. –SAnews.gov.za
