Taxi Drivers Warn Of Indefinite Strike

On 19 March 2010 the Western Cape Taxi Alliance (WCTA) warned that it will begin an indefinite strike on 23 March. The strike is in protest over the city’s Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system, which the union fears will phase out their minibus taxi services. The concerns for the Cape Town drivers are similar to those in Johannesburg, where drivers have recently held violent protests over the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in that city. The WCTA stated that, although it is not planning road blockades, the strike will include “unannounced mass arrivals” of taxis at Cape Town International Airport (FACT/CPT), Cape Town Stadium, Parliament and the Civic Center. Both the IRT and BRT systems were built to accommodate visitors to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but recent strikes and violence over the systems have raised concerns over passenger safety.