Monday 13 April 2015

Thousands in Dar, Mwanza stranded as drivers strike

From The Citizen Daily, Dar es Salaam
By The Citizen Reporter

Mwanza. Hundreds of passengers yesterday endured hours of agony and frustration after bus drivers went on strike to demand a reverse of an order to redo driving training and fair employment contracts.

Some drivers separately told The Citizen on Saturday that a directive by the Traffic Police Commander Mohamed Mpinga to re-do the driving course and limit speed or face two weeks in jail or have their licences revoked was draconian.

The strike was apparent at the main bus stands of Nyegezi and Buzuruga where hundreds of passengers desperately sought for alternatives to reach their destinations in vein.

This paper visited the two stands as early as 6am and witnessed empty buses parked.

“We don’t know what to do. We really suffer. We are asking responsible authorities to find ways of ending this strike soon,” a stranded passenger, Mr Joseph Wambura, said.

Victor Gervas who is employed by Bunda Express said they resorted to a strike in protest of decision by bus owners to heed to new directives by head of traffic police.

With the new directive, drivers are required to undergo a two-week driving course at Sh560,000 every three months. The drivers there was no need to do so because they have already undergone the same course after paying Sh200,000.

Read full story.

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