Rea Vaya buses back on road, but commuters wary of more strike

2-minute read
09 January 2024 | 11:50 CAT

Rea Vaya buses outside Soccer City. Picture: Taurai Maduna/Eyewitness News

Commuters were again left in the lurge last week as Rea Vaya bus operators went on strike.

The management of Johannesburg rapid bus service Rea Vaya has confirmed the resumption of operations following a two-day illegal strike by bus drivers.

Workers downed tools on Wednesday, complaining of annual bonus payments being split into two phases and being taxed.

The operating company, PioTrans, was placed under business rescue in December 2023, with one of its creditors threatening to seize 25 buses in October.

The NTA said there were complaints of mismanagement and maladministration long before the company went into business rescue.

“The main issue here was that there was no economic evaluation that was done by the taxi industry, and the municipalities got people to do things haphazardly in preparation for the Soccer World Cup in 2010,” said Nationals Taxi Alliance spokesperson Theo Malele.

On Thursday, the business rescue practitioner of PioTrans secured an interdict against the 179 striking employees of the bus service.

Meanwhile, despite being granted an interdict against the workers from going on an unprotected strike, it is, as always, the commuters who suffer the most – especially as our public transport system is in shambles.

“The PioTrans issue should be a case study for other PRT systems not to fall in the same trap,” says Malele.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie.

The Keys To eThekwini

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 15 September 2026 3-minute read With a crowded mayoral race, deep service delivery issues, and the possibility of a fragmented council, the question of who gets the keys to eThekwini looms large for Durban residents. Having...

Newcastle Residents Take To The Streets

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 14 September 2026 3-minute read Burst pipes, water shutdowns, dishevelled pavements, uncut grass, and potholes that have turned into craters are compelling Newcastle residents to take their municipal bills and service delivery...

A Struggling ANC

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 10 September 2026 3-minute read Founder of Corruption Watch David Lewis pens in an article that the liberation movement is struggling as the ANC’s political transition falters. Speaking to Ml Junaid Kharsany, Lewis points out...

From Activist To Councillor

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 08 September 2026 2-minute read Hoping to take his activism into the council chamber, Ahmed Kayalsum, also known as Dees Ahmed, a resident of the Musgrave area in Durban for 33 years, has been an active community member for...

Don’t Give Up On South Africa!

08 September 2026 2-minute read Radio Islam is urging all South Africans to rediscover our resilience. With the commencement of our local government election coverage, we have one clear message for our listeners: Don’t give up on South Africa! As South Africa heads...

Moulana Ebrahim Bham elected JUSA president

Umamah Bakharia 8 September 2026 | 07:40 CAT 3-minute read The Jamiatul Ulama South Africa (JUSA) has concluded its elective Annual General Meeting (AGM), with Moulana Ebrahim Ismail Bham elected as its new president for the next four years. The AGM was held at the...