BUSINESS owners around Dales Avenue claim the chaotic, congested scene caused by the move of a taxi rank from Old Main Road has detrimentally affected their businesses in a major way.
The taxis were moved by the municipality due to the GO!Durban construction in 2016.
One of the business owners who contacted the Highway Mail and asked not to be named for fear of reprisal, said his sales have dropped more than 70 per cent due to the taxi rank’s activity.
ALSO READ: Taxi rank causes havoc in Dales Avenue
“When it was announced that the taxis would be moving here, we were happy as we thought that it would be good for our businesses and our customers would not have to go a long way to catch a taxi, but this rank has turned into a nightmare for us.”
The business owner said they were told that only six taxis were going to park there at a time, but the narrow road meant for vehicles to pass through, has been blocked by these taxis.
“I have complained to Metro SAPS on numerous occasions but nothing has been done. We do not have power over these taxis, they do as they like.”
Added to the road congestion problem for business owners is the smell of urine. “Now people are just urinating anywhere and the smell of urine has become unbearable. We really need someone who can assist. This is a one-way road, but these taxis sometimes just drive against the oncoming traffic. Something must be done. The taxi rank must be urgently moved from Dales Avenue back to where its was,” said the desperate business owner.
A Pinetown resident, who also wished to remain anonymous, who recently used this road, described it as ‘chaotic’. He was driving to the FNB at the intersection of Dales Avenue and Crompton Street.
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“The utterly-chaotic scene I saw was unbelievable. The driver of my vehicle was forced, slowly, to weave left and right, to avoid taxis reversing into and emerging out of spaces on both sides of the avenue. Also double-parking, parallel to, and outside those diagonally parked,” he said.
He questioned whether the taxis were given official permission to park there and, if so, where are the official signs displaying such permission?
“The pavements, intended for the unencumbered movement of pedestrians, are totally choked with traders and their products, forcing pedestrians to walk in the road.
“There appears to be absolutely no control over taxi parking or street trading in Dales Avenue, and, probably, in other roads in Pinetown, in Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal, and in the whole of South Africa. Where is our police force?” asked the resident.
eThekwini Metro Police spokesman, Senior Superintendent Parboo Sewpersad, said this was the first time this concern has come to their attention. “I urge business owners to call the public transport at the headquarters and raise concerns.”
The chairman of the Santi and Klaarwater Taxi Association, Musa Khwela, said he had not received any complaints, but would follow up on the allegations and address the issue with other taxi owners and drivers.
“The taxi rank was moved because of construction and we have not been informed about the way forward and if we are going to move back to our old spot,” said Khwela.
The eThekwini Municipality was asked to comment on this matter, but did not respond by the time of going to print.
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