Putco resumes services in Soweto on Monday

Putco buses are expected to resume operations in Soweto tomorrow after firing over 100 bus drivers who participated in an illegal strike

Sep 11, 2022 - 23:02
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Putco resumes services in Soweto on Monday

Putco buses are expected to resume operations in Soweto tomorrow, Monday, 12 September following operational disruptions.

ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR PUTCO BUSES TOMORROW

Last week, the bus company had to seize operations after its drivers went on an unprotected strike demanding increases and unpaid bonuses.

ALSO READ: Putco bus plans to resume services next week

The company resolved the problem by going the legal route and obtaining a court order on 8 September interdicting and restraining the striking employees from, amongst others, preventing passengers from embarking or disembarking on any of the company buses.

BUS COMPANY USES THE COURT TO WIN ITS BATTLE

Initially, they gave about 1000 bus drivers opportunities to submit letters to motivate why they should not be dismissed for their action before the end of business on 7 September (last week).

ALSO READ: PUTCO Bus passengers to be stranded for another day

ALSO READ: Putco workers STILL striking – some issued notices of dismissal

After carefully investigating the strike which led to malicious damage to property and losses for the company, Putco dismissed 105 employees who were influential in this illegal strike.

This illegal strike saw bus drivers clash with law enforcement who resorted to using rubber bullets to contain the mayhem.

Putco to resume operations in Soweto. Photo: The Bulrushes/ web.

UNUSED TRIPS WILL NOT BE FORFEITED

A statement by Putco read:
“Valid and unused trips that expired during the illegal strike will not be forfeited. Passengers will get an extension on those trips. Passengers from Soweto and Eldorado Park will not be affected at all by the expiry dates due to the ordinarily long validity period of monthly tickets. Putco will offer discounts on the next ticket purchases”.

“We once again apologise to our passengers for the inconvenience caused by the strike and would like to reiterate that reimbursements for unused trips will be processed by way of discounts and extended validity periods,”

Lindokuhle Xulu, spokesperson

ALSO READ: Metrobus strike: Drivers down tools after failed wage talks

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This is a developing story.