In the spotlight recently were the informal taxi ranks and illegal car washes that have been mushrooming in the central business district (CBD).
This ‘mushrooming’ is despite the more spacious and renovated Intermodel Transport Facility in Alexandra Street which, when opened in 2015, was envisioned to be a central point for public transporters and passengers.
Informal taxi ranks
The uncontrolled parking of taxis in the CBD soon led to illegal car washes where the water used is not metered and the people operating the car washes don’t pay for it either.
Residents who have been observing these activities contacted the Estcourt News, seeking clarity from the local municipality about the legality of informal taxi ranks and car washes.
Among the concerns raised were: who is paying for the water, pollution to the surrounding environment due to contaminants from the vehicles, and what the town’s by-laws state.
Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality was first contacted about these concerns on April 13. To date, there has been no formal response from the acting municipal manager, Zakhona Ndlela, relating to questions raised by residents.
READ MORE HERE: Taxi stops turn into illegal car washes
Public Transport By-Law
The town’s by-laws were, however, sent and make it clear that informal taxi stops and car washes are not allowed.
According to the Public Transport By-Law in relation to ‘stops and holding areas’, it states that ‘a driver of a public transport vehicle may park a metered taxi, minibus taxi or a bus only at a special parking place or holding area designated for that type of vehicle; and pick up or drop off passengers only at a rank, special parking place or a stop designated for that type of vehicle’.
This clearly indicates that the informal taxi ranks, like those at the bottom of Harding Street and in front of the bowling club, are going against the town’s by-laws.
Car washes
When it comes to washing of vehicles, the by-laws state the following: ‘Washing and servicing vehicles at public transport facilities – No person may undertake any repair or maintenance on a motor vehicle at a public transport facility; or wash any motor vehicle at a public transport facility, except at a wash bay at the facility that has been designated for this purpose’.
As stated in an article, Estcourt & District Taxi Owners Association vice-chairperson Meshack Shelembe said that a wash bay had been provided for public transporters at the taxi rank in Alexandra Street.
It is evident that the informal taxi ranks and illegal car washes go against the by-laws and the people responsible should be held responsible.
Contravention
When contravention is found, the by-laws state: ‘Any person who is convicted of an offence under this by-law shall be liable to a fine of an amount not exceeding R5000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months, or to both such fine and imprisonment. In the case of a continuing offence, an additional fine of an amount not exceeding R500 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 days, or both such fine and imprisonment, for each day on which such offence continues, will be imposed’.
So the question is: Why aren’t municipal officials enforcing the town’s public transport by-law?
This question was unfortunately one that the local municipality has failed to answer.
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