Bus firm Putco said on Thursday, 4 February that financial wound and scaled-down operations during the COVID-19 pandemic would result in more than 200 retrenchments.
The provider – which operates in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo – has a rapidly of 1 400 buses, transports more than 210 000 passengers day-to-day and travels roughly 82 million kilometres per year.
Tough time in transport
Putco job cuts
About 214 staff will be facing retrenchments as a result of financial wound. Putco explained that extra charges for buying non-public protecting equipment (PPE) and disinfecting busses after every commute added to the financial load.
As reported by Eyewitness Information, the firm had been seeking financial the support of government since March 2020, with management meeting with respectable and the Southern African Bus Operators Association.
Sadly, they’ve been unsuccessful in their efforts. Putco spokesperson Pride Anozie explained that the provider misplaced passenger, and now “need to align [their] expenditure with [the] reduced income
“It is not something we are contented with, however unfortunately, for the sustainability of the firm, that’s the assignment we cling now to undergo”.
Putco spokesperson Pride Anozie
Greyhound shuts doors
The follows appropriate a day after Greyhound announced on that it would additionally be halting operations and closing its door after with reference to four many years. The provider will stop trading in February 2021.
“It has been our pleasure connecting you all over Southern Africa for the previous 37 years. Thanks to all our passengers for your continued pork up”.
It’s been a bitter tablet for South Africa, who poured out their pork up for the provider on social media. One Twitter particular person said they’ve former the provider since 2012, adding that the “other buses are trash and cling roaches”.
One other said, “here’s in truth sad, it used to be my bus of replacement as a pupil travelling between [East London and Cape Town]”. A third added:
“That used to be the finest bus I former to rush. I had so mighty customer loyalty to them and they returned that with extraordinary quality provider. COVID-19 continues to dispose of us of mountainous things”.
Greyhound said on social media that every passengers with tickets booked for after the closure date will be refunded. For help, contact the Greyhound call centre on 087 352 0352 or electronic mail refunds@greyhound.co.za. Read more here.
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Putco’s scaled-down operations to result in over 200 job cuts
