Desperate calls to have the Alberton CBD-based dilapidated bus terminus’ building demolished are rapidly growing as commuters claim to feel unsafe while waiting for transport.
The building, which was initially projected to be a licensing drive-through to ease the burden on Alrode Licensing Department, has become a home for vagrants.
Despite reportedly being on the Integrated Development Plan in 2018, no developments have since been underway on these dilapidated premises.
A local and regular commuter said the then councillor justified where vagrants should stay.
“Well, certainly not on the main road with no proper sanitation and running water. Empty promises that the area would be cleaned only happened once, since then the area has not been cleaned. At one stage Council even left their rubbish there. So my suggestion is either they demolish the whole place to the ground and remove everything,” she said.
She reiterated that Council and Gauteng Women in Transport (GWIT) that operates the bus service have left bus passengers in a bad spot.
“Buses will have to stop elsewhere or close to the taxi rank. Council has made empty promises and GWIT is only there to collect money. We as passengers are unsafe in the morning and the afternoons. In the afternoons you have groups gathering there and engaging in public drinking,” she explained.
Ward 106 councillor Tim Denny reiterated that he, with the committee, has cleaned the area and that there are plans to get a contractor to demolish the building.
“There is a lot of rubble to be removed and I believe there are still electrical cables under the cement. It has to be removed and demolishing the building should be done properly,” he said.
Denny said after former Alderman Bruna Haipel’s endless effort to get the area cleaned up, he wants to continue overseeing developments.
Engagements underway
The City’s Transport and Fleet Management department recently held a meeting with GWIT.
“As previously communicated, the request from the councillors representing the community of Alberton is for the demolishing of the structure. This is because the building is uninhabitable and dilapidated and is housing vagrants and recyclers,” said Zweli Dlamini, City’s spokesperson.
According to Dlamini, the community had requested that the space be used for a licensing drive-through.
“GWIT has requested that the building be refurbished so that they can continue to use it to sell tickets.”
He explained that the City did mention to GWIT that they do not have funds to refurbish the facility.
“We suggest that when the building is refurbished that commuters can still use the shelters.”
He said the meeting also shed light on plans for the drive-through. These include when the project is planned for, building plans, budget and whether the development will be able to accommodate buses.
They anticipate reaching a final consensus by end of May.
