Johannesburg’s Rea Vaya bus service has shut down after taxi groups protested against its expansion plans.
The conflict began when transport official Kenny Kunene unveiled 45 new buses for Soweto routes last week without consulting taxi operators.
The National Taxi Alliance (NTA) is angry that the buses have KwaZulu-Natal number plates.
“How can KZN registration work in Gauteng province?” asked NTA spokesperson Theo Malele.
The buses were acquired through a deal with KwaZulu-Natal taxi boss Mandla Gcaba, intended to address Rea Vaya’s financial difficulties and workforce issues that had previously forced it into business rescue.
Passengers were left stranded when buses stopped running on Monday afternoon. The service remained suspended on Tuesday morning.
Kunene is meeting bus and taxi operators today to try to resolve the conflict.
The NTA says buses won’t run again until their concerns are addressed and the correct processes are followed.
Compiled by Staff Writer
Pictured above: Rea Vaya bus.
Source: Rea Vaya/X
