Taxi rank causes havoc in Dales Avenue
The KwaSanti and Klaarwater Taxi Association was moved from Old Main Road because of construction.
BUSINESS owners and staff working in Dales Avenue, Pinetown, have raised their concerns about taxis using the narrow road as a ‘rank’.
People had complained about the traffic and chaos in that area since the taxis began occupying Dales Avenue.
One of the business owners in Dales Avenue said the situation had gone from bad to worse.
“There are more than 30 taxis that park in Dales Avenue and some park with their boots to the sidewalk, and not parallel-parked, some are double-parked. Some are blocking entrances to buildings and others park on the sidewalk.”
The business owner said the municipality met with them last year and said that only six taxis would be moving to Dales Avenue. “They allocated six spots to accommodate them. Having so many taxis in a small road is complete chaos. There is standstill traffic every 15 minutes, as the taxis reverse into their parking spot. Often, you cannot even enter Dales Avenue.”
He said there were also vendors who constructed stalls every morning, which took up half the sidewalk. “Along with the taxis that have their boots open to the sidewalk, there is very little space to walk,” he said. He said Metro Police needed to intervene before the situation was out of control.
One of the workers in that area said the road had become dangerous for motorists as criminals have found a spot to snatch their belongings.
“A man was robbed of his cellphone last week while he was stuck in that traffic,” she said.
People are concerned that there would be accidents in the area as the taxis made U-turns and drove contraflow because Dales Avenue was a one-way street.
Thulani Nkala, member of the KwaSanti and Klaarwater Taxi Association, said the taxis were moved by the municipality from Old Main Road because of the Go!Durban construction. “The businesses around the area were also consulted about the move.” He denied that there were supposed to be only six taxis occupying that area. “We had other alternatives, but the other places were too far for the commuters,” he said.
Pinetown SAPS communications officer, Lt Bongumusa Manqele, said they had not received any complaints about Dales Avenue but they would be looking into the matter.
