Acsa says it has contingency plans in place to ensure minimal disruption at King Shaka International Airport in Durban, as a strike by the KZN E-hailing Council started today (Monday, 16 September).
The strike is expected to continue until the end of the week.
However, travellers expecting to use e-hailing apps such as Uber, Bolt and inDrive to get to their destinations from the airport this week will need to make alternative transport plans.
KZN E-Hailing Council spokesperson, Ntokozo Buthelezi, said the strike was the only way for drivers to communicate their demands. The drivers’ association is demanding higher prices and for the apps providing the platform for booking to take lower commissions. The council is also asking the e-hailing platform providers to ensure the safety of drivers and riders.
In a social media post on Wednesday, the E-hailing Council said that under the current pricing system it was a struggle to make enough money to cover the high costs of maintenance, insurance, and stolen vehicle recovery tracking.
"We cannot communicate or have some sort of a platform to speak with these companies since they have not got offices around the areas like Durban or Johannesburg. It is only something that is run online or by agents,” the post highlighted.
Driver safety ‘the biggest concern’
Buthelezi pointed out that the biggest concern was the safety of the drivers. "We are being robbed day by day. We are being killed by people whom we are not able to trace, or the police are not able to trace those individuals.
“Previously, we have suggested that, if a rider has to install an app, they also have to put in their ID numbers and their documents so that we can be able to trace that person should anything happen to the driver or to the rider themselves."
To ensure a smooth travel experience, Acsa urges passengers to allow for extra travel time. “We also recommend use of the online check-in before departure,” said an Acsa spokesperson.
Alternative transport options
Despite the impending strike, other transport options such as airport-accredited metered taxi operators, airport shuttles, car rentals and public transport services will still be available.
The transportation services at the airport can be located as follows:
Airport-accredited metered taxi operators are located outside the terminal building at the pick-up zone.
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Public transport and airport shuttles are located at the coach staging area near long-stay parking.
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Car rentals are located outside the terminal building near the multi-storey Parkade.
More information about the authorised airport-accredited metered taxi operators at King Shaka International Airport is obtainable on www.airports.co.za. Alternatively, travellers can visit the Acsa mobile app for details of transport services.
For further clarity, Acsa’s passenger information agents at the information desk will be available to assist. “We kindly encourage travellers to check our social media page for any developments on the matter,” said Acsa.
