Queues at the Site C taxi rank in Khayelitsha seemed endless with people flocking from various bus stops to the rank in hopes of getting transport to work. Frustrated commuters claimed they had been queuing since early in the morning.
Although, the Khayelitsha rank loyal taxi commuter membership cards — sells for R20 — offered cardholders some relief.
"They (commuters) produce these cards on days like this. They do not have to stand in queues all day — if they show the card they get preferential treatment meaning they gain first entry in taxis and strikes do not affect them," said Andile Khashe, chairperson of the Khayelitsha Site C taxi rank
Commuters without these cards have no option but to wait in line.
The Nyanga taxi rank, opposite the Nyanga bus terminus, was not as full when the Cape Argus visited the area. But a little scuffle between commuters at the Mitchells Plain and Maitland taxis ranks was reported.
However, lines for areas such as Bellville, Claremont and Wynberg barely moved.
Bus commuters feeling anxious about the #BusStrike... already feeling the effects this morning. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/OMHCH22EJ9
— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) April 12, 2017
Sylvia Dumo, a Khayelitsha commuter who travels to Sea Point, said she was at the rank for an hour without boarding a taxi.
Normally Dumo arrives at the rank at 6.30am and gets to work an hour later. "I reported to my boss about the strike so they know I will be arriving late," she said.
Thando Sihlava, a Century City commuter, said the strike caused him serious delays.
"I am a regular taxi commuter, this strike will make me late for work. When there are such situations taxis are scarce and this causes panic," said Sihlava.
While standing in the queues, people took photos as proof of the delays for their employers.
Noluthando Mvabaza said: "They (bus commuters) are filling our lines. What makes things worse is that taxi marshals are now prioritising them more than us regulars. They just want the money."
The bus strike follows a dead-lock in wage negotiations with the South African Road Passengers Bargaining Council (SARPBAC), an umbrella body for the unions.
More than 200 000 Golden Arrow bus commuters and nearly 71 000 MyCiTi commuters are affected by the strike.