Introduced by Democratic Alliance councillor Laurette van Zijl, the motion seeks to affect the city’s bylaws on metered taxis, minibuses, midibuses and buses stipulated in section 8.
It states that, ‘no person may park a metered taxi, minibus, midibus or bus on any public road for the purpose of providing a transport service, except in an exclusive parking bay marked by a road traffic sign as prescribed in terms of the National Road Traffic Act 1996 (Act no 93 of 1996) for that vehicle’.
Van Zijl said there were very few, if any, such dedicated stopping places on the city’s public transport routes and for there to be enforcement and compliance, the city would have to introduce dedicated stopping places for all public transport providers.
“It cannot be expected from the taxis to abide by a bylaw if the city has not made provision for them to do so.”
This she said in reference to taxi lay-bys having been made available in Randburg for taxis to utilise which, seemingly, they are not using. “As a rule they stop at intersections to drop off people and then again 10 metres further in such a lay-by.”
She added that this bylaw was promulgated in 2003 but, shockingly, few people, including the Joburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), knew about it. She claimed to have asked the MMC for Safety and Security to ensure Joburg Metro Police were made aware and applied a no tolerance policy in applying this law.
“The regulated stops for taxis will ensure the ease of traffic flow as well as the safety of other motorists, passengers and taxi drivers,” said Van Zijl.
She added that the successful enforcement of the bylaw would have to be supported by an aggressive education campaign of both drivers and passengers.
Details: Laurette van Zijl 082 330 0593.
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