Unions Threaten Strike Over Rail Fare Hike

Union officials are threatening a countrywide strike should a proposed rail ticket increase go through. Metrorail is planning to increase monthly fares between R40 (~$5.50 USD) and R100 (~$13.50 USD) on April 1.

The Cape Argus reported earlier this week that Metrorail had blamed the increase on rising operational costs and the slashing of its government subsidy.

In a statement released on Thursday, Cosatu expressed outrage at the increases and threatened strike action if the price hike wasn't cancelled.

"Cosatu will reinstate the section 77 notice that gives members the right to bring the economy to a standstill should Metrorail continue with these ill considered increases," the union warned.

South Africa: Cosatu Threat Over Metrorail Increases
Cape Argus
March 19, 2010

Western Cape Metrorail Strike Fades

Though no formal agreement has been reached, Metrorail workers are returning to their trains one week after instituting a strike. Workers had gradually returned to work over the course of the strike, though union officials are still trying to push forward wage negotiations.

When the strike began last Monday, train services in the Western Cape were reduced to 30 percent of its 679 daily trips, but waned after three days as some United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) members returned to work.

...Utatu demanded an 8 percent increase effective from April 1, a further 2 percent in September and an 8 percent increase in the housing subsidy and medical aid. Metrorail has offered 8 percent across the board. The minimum monthly salary is R5 000.

Metrorail transports about 600 000 passengers daily. About 1 000 of Utatu's 2 500 members at Metrorail are based in the Western Cape.

Metrorail strike fizzles out
Cape Times
August 24. 2009

$2.6 Billion Invested in SA Rail

South Africa's transport department has invested the equivalent of about $2.6 billion US in rail countrywide, and has formed a new agency to oversee the country's various train systems.

(Editor's Note: This brief article from SABC News does not indicate over what time frame this amount of money has been invested, and randomly mentions a bus rapid transit system. I'll look out for more concrete facts.)

The transport department has invested R25 billion to upgrade train travel. Minister Jeff Radebe made the announcement when announcing a new transport enterprise, known as the Passenger Railway Agency of South Africa. The Agency will replace the old SA Rail Commuters Corporation. It will incorporate Metrorail, long distance rail division Shosholoza, Translux, as well as City to City.

At the launch, Radebe called on taxi and bus operators to participate in making the Bus Rapid Transit system a success. Taxi associations have threatened to disrupt the Confederations Cup and the 2010 Soccer World Cup if the system is implemented. Radebe says BRT will benefit all stakeholders.

Source:
Govt invests billions to upgrade SA’s train system
SABC News
March 20, 2009