The Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) Mzwandile Masina officially opened the Thelle Mogoerane Taxi Rank facility at 12390 Nguza Street, Vosloorus, on October 20.
The taxi rank worth R45-million was handed over to the Vosloorus Boksburg District Taxi Association (VBDTA) and the community of Vosloorus and Ekurhuleni at large.
It boasts 55 stalls, electricity, water, geyser, toilets, an office, parking space, shelter and seats for passengers.
Masina called for the taxi association and the community to protect the taxi rank and keep it clean.
“We want to protect this public infrastructure. It is meant to serve our communities and it is now in the hands of the taxi industry and we trust that you will take care of it,” said Masina.
“Support the business activities and the rank whiteout resorting to vandalism. We have installed prepaid meters for each stall so that they do not struggle,” he said.
Masina said the taxi industry is important, as from the 1970s it transports 65% of the passenger population in South Africa, followed by the bus with 20% and the train with 15%.
Chairperson of VBDTA Bos Mbatha said he believes that the people of Vosloous will be proud of the taxi rank as millions were spent on it.
He promised the mayor that no one will burn down the taxi rank from their side because it is the first time they have a beautiful rank like this.
MMC for Transport and Planning Phelisa Nkunjana shared the same sentiments. She said the relationship they have with the taxi association and the community will continue and they will work together to protect the facility.
Kathorus Mail asked a local resident who lives near the taxi rank his reaction about the new taxi rank.
Nhlahla Kunene from Vosloorus Extension 14 said they need the taxi rank in the community as they used to pay double for transport when going to areas like Johannesburg.
“Travelling to Joburg costs R25, but we had to start by popping out R10 to take a local taxi that will transport us to the taxi rank where we will find taxis to Joburg. So we were spending R35 just to go to Joburg, but now that the rank is here it will cost us less.
“Economy wise we are happy that people have space to start their business, it will create employment for people who will clean the rank as well as the toilets. We thank the government for this,” said Kunene.
Although Kunene is excited about the opportunities that the rank will bring to the community, he was disturbed by the amount spent on it.
“I think it was a waste of money because it took years for it to be completed. We stay around here we saw many contractors do half the job and leave, then a new contractor would be called in to finish the job.
“This taxi rank was supposed to be open around 2015 or 2017. How many contractors have been here, maybe three or five?
“They talk about spending R45-m. I think it is too much.”
The official opening of the new taxi rank forms part of the City’s Transport Month programme.
The new taxi facility is adjacent to the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital, which is one of the busiest and biggest hospitals in the City.
Wards 46 councillor Mzwandile Wondo, Ward 95 councillor Khehla Madlala, Bishop Loyiso Duda and MMC for Human Settlement Lesiba Mpya also attended.
