Plan to curb reckless taxi driving in Durban North

DISGRUNTLED local businesses have called on the eThekwini Municipality to act swiftly on taxi’s ranking on the side of the road in the Broadway (Swapo Road) area. In a meeting with Metro Police officials recently, the business owners said the taxis ranking in the area made it difficult for their customers to access their businesses.

“We don’t have a problem with buses and bus stops, or even taxis coming to drop off people, however they must not stay here. The ranking is really a problem,” said Rayne Dancaster.

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Another business owner added that it was not just the taxis that are a problem.

Lyn Warwick of the Durban North Methodist Church said: “It’s not only taxis that were a problem. Motorists who are avoiding to pay for parking always park in front of the church, which then affects our members. Most of them stay longer than the prescribed time. Unlike before Metro Police officers are less visible.”

Councillor Shaun Ryley responded by saying plan to build taxi ranks in the area are in place, however none of them were short term.

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“As it stands, Metro Police in the city is under resourced and short staffed. There are measures being taken to resolve these problems, however none of the are short term. We are definitely working with all relevant stakeholders to make sure that these problems are sorted soon,” said Ryley.

KwaMashu Metro Police captain, Edward Ntuli said they will do all they could to increase visibility of officers on the roads.

“With the limited resources we have, we are doing all we can to make sure that rules of the road are obeyed at all times. I will speak to the relevant departments to focus more on the issues raised here,” he said.

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