Bus driver shot in taxi protest

[semiautomatix]

Johannesburg - A bus driver was shot and seriously wounded in Soweto on Tuesday as taxi operators protested against the Bus Rapid Transit System, Johannesburg emergency services confirmed.

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2490569,00.html

And so it begins. These taxi drivers are animals and should be treated as such. If their actions on the road weren't enough then this is the straw that has finally broken the camel's back. I have no sympathy and hope they suffer due to their actions.

The Bus Rapid Transit System is a new streamlined bus service the government is introducing which taxi operators believe will steal business from them.

This initiative is a great idea from the government (yes, indeed, we can compliment some of the things they do) to create a monitored and organised public transport system. The taxi system is semi-chaotic and ruled by so-called "taxi lords" - this is not viable or sustainable into the future. The bus system allows for subsidised travel and will ensure pressure is relieved on heavy traffic areas, rules are obeyed and transport is always available.

Furthermore, the government has stated that this system will not result in job losses, as taxi drivers can be hired as bus drivers. I believe this strike and this lawlessness is coming from the "taxi lords" themselves who see this as a major challenge to their income stream as the money earned goes to government coffers for the improvement and subsidisation of further public transport as opposed to their private pockets.

I believe the conditions that taxi drivers do work in to be unbearable and almost unrealistic with the pressure exerted by their respective organisations. This system will give decent employment opportunities and not exploit the drivers - hopefully leading to a safer public transport system for all.

This rapid bus transport system is for the benefit of all South Africans and not a few closed minded heads of taxi organisations.

 

[Luf]

Its regretable that a PUTCO bus driver was shot this morning

The Taxi industries days are numbered - take my word for it

 

[Pilgrim]

These animals need to be put down.

And please, with "these animals" I am not referring to the people themselves, but the "taxi driver culture".

 

[Stephen]

Let me guess - Is it the whole criminal element infiltrated the strike excuse. They pull that one out when the striking mob starts breaking things

 

[Albereth]

Let me guess - Is it the whole criminal element infiltrated the strike excuse. They pull that one out when the striking mob starts breaking things

Starts? They've already been there, done that, and stolen the T-shirt.

 

[DiscoverSEO]

Violence was inevitable in this situation. Check out these Taxi Strike pics http://twitpic.com/photos/DiscoverSEO

Forensics has now blocked off the road where these pictures were taken as something has happened there

When will these guys be help responsible

 

[TMoose]

The entire way these taxi ranks are being run, basically as organised crime syndicates, should be given a closer look methinks.

 

[Kim_Webchick]

What the hell, taxi drivers don't own the roads, they need to be put in there place and obey the law just as all us road users.

 

[DapperDanMan]

According to http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=966275:

"Protesting (taxi) drivers beat motorists, stone cars and pull passengers from buses"

What I am wondering is: How did they even get onto those Greyhound andPutco buses? (Only if the bus drivers opened the bus doors, correct?)

And how did so many of these assaults happen in such a centralised, public places while there was a nearby police presence?!?

Maybe that is just what the media wants us to think?