New taxi route not welcomed by some
A new taxi rank in Esihlahleni (Daveyton) which began operating in July, has not been welcomed by some residents due to increased travelling times.
“It is time consuming.
We get to work late and some of us get warnings at work, which may lead to our dismissal,” said a taxi commuter who did not want to be named.
Daveyton taxis have changed their routes when travelling from Daveyton to the Benoni CBD during the hours of 9am until 3pm.
Before 9am and after 3pm, the usual route will be followed.
For several years taxis used to travel from Etwatwa through Daveyton and stop in New Modder Road.
From there, taxi passengers would decide which route to take depending on their destination.
They could choose the taxi rank on Voortrekker Street or the one in Dunswart.
With the new route, passengers are now expected to change taxis twice after leaving Etwatwa – once at the new Daveyton rank and for the second time at New Modder Road.
Benoni Taxi Association (BTA) chairperson Dumisani Ntuli said the new rank should help passengers in terms of not losing their belongings and for safety reasons.
“The main purpose of this rank is to make things easier for the taxi operators, as they travel and end up going to town with a taxi that is not full,” said Ntuli.
The BTA plans to build another taxi rank in Daveyton, but the area hasn’t been determined.
A taxi operator said they are dependent on passengers to stop the operation of the new route.
“We are not happy because we waste too much time and, as operators, there is nothing we can do unless the passengers do or say something,” said the operator who would like to remain anonymous.
Ntuli added that to his knowledge, no passenger or taxi operator has complained to the association about the new procedure.
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