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| Bus drivers, conductors and other stakeholders gathered at Ubungo Bus Terminal during the strike |
The usual hustle
and bustle at the Bagamoyo Main Bus Station came to almost standstill as bus
drivers went on conditional strike. A similar major drivers’ strike was
initiated in Dar es Salaam which disrupted the daily routine works of bus
commuters.
The
bus drivers are demanding that it was not necessary to go back and learn about
the ABC of driving at the Institute of Transport at an exorbitant fee. It was
claimed that this condition of going back to learning was not agreed to. A
similar strike was held on 10th April in Dar es Salaam and caused a
lot of chaotic scenario which necessitated intervention of the Police and Dar
es Salaam Region leaders.
The
movements of the people, whether on foot or by motorcycles popularly called
“bodaboda” was further disrupted due to heavy rains.
Today
(Monday) the strike by the drivers forced routine activities to come to a
standstill. Many businessmen and women, school pupils and workers failed to
report to their offices and schools on time. Several school pupils, especially
those seating for Form Six examinations found themselves in serious tension as
they moved up and down desperately for transport to their respective schools.
In
Bagamoyo, the situation became bad as a good number of people who were either
on long weekend leave, found them in a difficult position to go back to Dar es
Salaam.
Minister
for Transport, Hon. Samwell Sitta stated to the press that a Permanent
Committee was formed by the Prime Minister’s Office to look into and sort out
such issues. Hence, the committee was entrusted with the task to sort out the
issue. It was further understood that the Tanzania Bus Owners Association
(TABOA) was not supporting the strike.
Story by Abdul Hai
Picture from The Citizen.
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