Bus owners call off planned strike

Tanzania Bus Owners Association (TABOA) has called off today’s strike following an invitation by the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) for discussions.

According to Taboa, services will continue to schedule as they
hold discussions with Sumatra  seeking an amicable agreement over their various issues including construction  of the new bus Terminal at Mbezi Luis  in Dar es salaam and  reduction of fines.

“We decide to suspend our planned  strike  which was supposed to start today after Sumatra sent us a  letter  yesterday  requesting to  hold a meeting ,” said the Taboa Treasurer Issa Nkya.

“The meeting will involve people from Dar city council, Sumatra, traffic police and transport stakeholders and Taboa will be represented by 12 members,” he added.

Nkya insisted that if Sumatra will not respond to their demands they will continue with the planned strike.

Interviewed, a passengers at the Ubungo Bus Terminal (UBT )Samuel Shija called upon Taboa not to strike citing the fact that should bus services be stopped, many people will be affected.

 “I heard yesterday on the radio that upcountry country bus owners plan to boycott services today to press the government to respond their long time demands,” he explained.

“I was shocked because I plan to travel to Iringa on Friday but I hope both side will reach to  conclusion” he said.

Meanwhile, Sumatra Communication and Public Relations Manager David Mziray confirmed that the Authority has written a letter to the bus  owners association asking  them to  call off the strike.

“We have good relationship with Taboa I don’t know why they would jump to that conclusion without involving us,” he said.

He confirmed that the meeting will involve various stakeholders and is expected to start in the afternoon.

On Monday this week ,Taboa announced the planned strike aimed at pressuring the government through Sumatra to reduce fines and stop ongoing construction at UBT which is said to inconvenience passengers affecting operations of the buses.