Pta buses, trains on track

2006-05-18 08:54

Pretoria - Commuter rail and buses in Pretoria were running as usual, unaffected by a national labour strike on Thursday.

"The morning peak period has gone by very smoothly and there have been no disruptions in service or delays," said Metrorail spokesperson for the Tshwane area, Thokozani Zitha.

She said there were no apparent decreases in the commuter rail company's employee work attendance in the morning, but it would have to be seen if the strike would affect the afternoon rush period.

Bus services in the area had also seen no disruptions, a Putco spokesperson said.

"The strike has not affected employee turn-out or service delivery in the greater Tshwane area," said Romeo More, speaking from the bus company's depot in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria.

"All our services have gone off without a hitch this morning, but it may be that some of our passengers have heeded the strike."

Municipal buses also seemed to be operating as usual in and around the city centre.

Cosatu called for the national strike in support of its jobs and poverty campaign and urged workers in all sectors of the economy to take part by staying away from work.

Cosatu has made demands focusing on the country's unemployment problem, such as putting an end to job outsourcing and has urged for the creation of secure, well paid jobs.

Pretoria police said they were not expecting any marches or protests within the city, but would be deploying officers at the city's main train station.

"We are aware that the march is taking place in Johannesburg today and that people may gather at the Pretoria station in Bosman Street, to board trains to that march," said police spokesperson Inspector Paul Ramaloko.

"There will be police deployed at the station to monitor the situation in case any unruly behaviour occurs," he said.

- SAPA