Shocking state of facilities at local taxi ranks
Basic lack of amenities, such as no proper working toilets, are some of the challenges faced by commuters boarding the taxis to work, school or town.
The Advertiser recently visited taxi ranks across Boksburg and discovered that these facilities are generally in deplorable condition.
- Boksburg Taxi Rank
The Boksburg Taxi Rank, which has been in existence for decades, is in a deplorable condition in terms of the infrastructure and toilets.
According to Naledi Maphela, who has been working as a cleaner at the rank for six years, the condition of the toilets is shocking.
“Due to poor functionality of the toilets, such as flushing, it becomes a difficult task to clean the facilities.”
Maphela highlighted that a contractor was hired by the metro, which stopped operating in June.
Mzwakhe Mthembu, one of the taxi drivers, said the conditions of the ablution facilities are unhygienic but they are using them because they have no alternative places to go.
“We work at this taxi rank from 6am to 5pm, this is our office, but we can’t work in such conditions. If the toilets can be fixed and thoroughly cleaned we will be happy,” Mthembu said.
Agripha Moloi, rank manager, said the carports were damaged due to heavy winds, which leaves a bad impression of the general state of the infrastructure.
- East Rand Mall Taxi Rank
Commuters have praised the East Rand Mall rank for its cleanliness but agreed the ablution facilities left much to the imagination.
The premises on which the rank is located, which has been in existence since 2009, is owned by the mall.
According to the rank manager, Kleinbooi Makuwa, the reason the toilets aren’t working is that the aluminium pipes were stolen in November last year.
“Other problems are the potholes around the taxi rank, while we would also love it if more shade could be added for commuters,” Makuwa said.
- Reiger Park Taxi Rank
In Reiger Park, the situation is dire.
The Advertiser witnessed there is no water supply or electricity, while toilets are non-existent.
According to residents, the cubicles, urinals and cisterns were stolen a few years ago.
The place has also been turned into accommodation for homeless people who have taken advantage of the toilet facility.
According to a young man, who asked to remain anonymous, he has been living inside the ablution facility since 2014.
“Four men are living here. When we came here the toilets were already stolen. Now we help clean the rank.
“During the weekends this place is turned into a park where people drink and leave their alcohol bottles.”
Rank manager Jeffrey Shabangu said when nature calls they either go to their houses or go to the houses opposite the taxi rank.
- Ramaphosa Taxi Rank
The R18-million Ramaphosa Taxi Rank which was officially opened in 2015 is still in a good state although there were a few concerns raised by the cleaners and rank manager.
Dustbins are not collected regularly and some of the toilets are not flushing properly.
Other issues raised was the taxi rank has been turned into a smoking area by drug users and taxi drivers.
“Some people are smoking their drugs in the toilet and thieves also act as if they want to use the toilet whereas they are targeting taps and stainless steel toilet paper roll holders,” said one of the workers.
Loyiso Dambuza, the rank manager, said the lights are always on during the day due to a broken sensor.
- Oos-Rand Taxi Rank
This rank does not have facilities either, with commuters being forced to use the nearby bushes or the toilets at the railway station next to the taxi rank.
Lucky Shoba, rank manager said they have adapted to the lack of facilities.
“The commuters don’t have a choice but to use the bushes. The bushes are not even safe because three months ago a woman was raped.
“Even the men are at risk of getting mugged.”
He also bemoaned the fact there are no taps.
“We have to resort to buying water at a nearby shop or we come with our own from home,” Shoba said.
Shoba highlighted that the metro made efforts last year to provide two chemical toilets but they haven’t been drained for months and now they are not being used.
- Metro responds
Themba Gadebe, metro spokesperson, said: “The metro does maintain and clean toilets at taxi ranks. However, the metro relies on the vigilance of residents to report where the service is sub-standard for immediate intervention.
“The metro will therefore immediately follow up on the reported need for repairs and seek necessary quotations from prospective service providers.
“It will, therefore, take a few weeks before the actual repairs are carried out. Furthermore, the metro is conducting a condition assessment on most of the taxi ranks to determine all major repairs needed.”
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