Options explored for temporary taxi and bus ranks in uMhlanga

WHILE work to complete the second phase of the R4b Oceans Umhlanga Development continues, there has been no solution to the ongoing public transport challenges in the village.

Currently, taxis and buses are parked on the M4 off-ramp and on Ridge Road, which residents say has caused massive traffic congestion.

The eThekwini Municipality recently held a stakeholder consultation meeting and a public infrastructure update on the options, both temporary and final, for the bus and taxi ranks in the village.

The meeting held at the Capital Pearls was packed with residents and various roleplayers seeking answers to the ongoing public transport issues.

Also read: Road upgrade planned for Umhlanga Oceans development

A temporary solution presented by the City and the developer, and an alternative from the uMhlanga Property Owners Association, were placed on the table, with one suggestion from the association being a flyover from Ridge Road to Lagoon Drive to alleviate traffic congestion.

In its proposal, the City suggested a temporary bus-holding facility in the Cornubia area with an additional dedicated pick-up and drop-off zone on Lagoon Drive near the uMhlanga Clinic.

The City’s suggestion for a temporary taxi rank was to create 40 parking bays at the end of Ridge Road with the final option of creating a 52-bay parking lot on Flamingo Lane, which if approved by the residents and relevant stakeholders, will be completed in 2025.

Both the temporary and final solutions would also provide space for ablution areas as well as shaded waiting areas for commuters.

Also read: Port of Durban expansion on the cards

The proposal to upgrade the road network around the Oceans Development included the widening of Lagoon Drive and the changing of the median on Lagoon Drive, which will have two lanes in both directions, and an upgrade to Lighthouse Road.

Head of the Catalytic Projects Unit at the City, George Mohlakoana, who chaired the meeting, spoke on the options presented on behalf of the developer and on the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) application by the City to approach the options.

“This is the second meeting related to the outstanding public transport solution for uMhlanga Village. We know that, for many years, you have been experiencing serious challenges with no public transport facilities being there. The way we have structured this meeting is to highlight what the temporary and permanent solutions are,” he said.

For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our Youtube channel or follow us on TikTok