2009-10-30: Actions by volunteers at five Rea Vaya BRT stations
The City of Johannesburg condemns the unprocedural action by a small number of volunteers who are deployed at Rea Vaya BRT stations to help us launch the BRT Rea Vaya.
“I am disappointed by the lack of commitment of a small number of volunteers who this morning embarked on unprocedural action and also illegally locked up five stations including at Ellis Park and Doorfontein”, said MMC Rehana Moosajee, MMC for Transport in the City of Joburg.
“The City will take immediate and decisive action in line with city policy and the law to address this illegal activity.”
These volunteers are managed by the Metro Trading Company (MTC), a MOE company of the City of Johannesburg which is responsible for Rea Vaya bus station management. They have deployed 184 volunteers across the Rea Vaya system for a limited period of three months to familiarise commuters with the new bus system.
This morning at approximately 06:00 certain volunteers of MTC left their places of work without permission at Old Synagogue Station in Braamfontein.
They forcibly took possession of the station keys and locked the stations at Old Synagogue, Doornfontein Campus and Ellis Park so that passengers had to disembark in the roadway which is very dangerous.
We apologise to these passengers for the inconvenience. It is unfortunate that we had no control of this incident but will take necessary steps to avoid similar occurrence in future.
MTC received a memorandum from station staff including volunteers and had embarked upon a process to resolve these issues including meetings with the disaffected individuals.
“It is very sad that a small group moved outside of this process and embarked upon illegal action today. However the MTC with the support of the Rea Vaya office is committed to continue this process and is confident of achieving an amicable resolution,” said MMC Oupa Monareng, MMC for Economic Development who is responsible for oversight of the MTC.
“The safety of passengers using the Rea Vaya system is an extremely high priority for the City of Johannesburg and no interference that could affect passenger safety will be tolerated”, Moosajee concluded.
The incidents of this morning will be thoroughly investigated and strong action be taken against any person or persons acting in a manner that could jeopardise the effective operation of the Rea Vaya.
For further comment contact :
Gabu Tugwana
Communication Director
Public Liaison Department
City of Johannesburg
Office of the Executive Mayor
Tel: 011 407-7162
Fax: 011 339-1531
Cell: 082 495 5673
