George in the Garden Route was calm but tense Wednesday night after five Go George busses were torched.
Western Cape Transport MEC, Donald Grant, said its alleged that disgruntled taxi operators opposed to the George Integrated Public Transport Network were behind the arson attacks.
He said earlier in the day there were reports that Go George busses have been stoned.
Grant strongly condemned the violence which has led to the temporary suspensions of the Go George bus service which was introduced in December.
He said "they will not be held ransom by a group of criminals and will forge ahead with the provision of safe and reliable transport to the people of George.
"Over the past nine years, the Western Cape Government has been working in close partnership with the National Department of Transport, the George Municipality, the George minibus taxi and bus industry, as well as the people of George to develop a public transport system that will see George transformed. The George Integrated Public Transport Network has been a project spearheaded by the Department of Transport and Public Works and has been years in the making," Grant said.
The MEC said Go George "is South Africa's first non-metro integrated public transport system and has been adopted as the pilot project for the future roll out of other IPTNs outside of large cities."
George mayor, Charles Standers, said in a statement Wednesday that "we are seriously concerned about those residents who won't have transport to work and to school tomorrow, but this situation has to be handled with great care."
"We can assure the public that we are consulting at the highest level about the events. We'll keep the community informed via the media and social media and will give notice immediately when service recommences," Standers said.
Police spokesperson, Captain Malcolm Pojie, said the situation in George on Wednesday night was stable but remained tense.
