Frustrations rise as taxi drivers ‘drive as they please’
Motorists are up in arms saying taxis drive with no concern for other road users.
POLOKWANE – In areas such as Rissik between Onder and Hans van Rensburg Streets, motorists are fed up with the problem of not being able to drive safely in the city.
In Devenish Street motorists travelling from the city towards Nirvana and Westenburg and even out of the city on the N1 say that they are left standing at traffic lights for moret than half an hour at times.
“We stand in the line for more than half an hour as the taxis from the taxi rank in Devenish Street just do as they please. They keep on driving, if it is their turn or not, oncoming motorists have to wait for them. They ignore traffic rules and this is a danger to other motorists,” a local resident told BONUS.
Other motorists said they have tried using alternative routes, but the problem has spread to Rissik and Excelsior Streets and is now escalating to the city centre as high up as Schoeman Street.
Local businesses in the areas effected have now also voiced their complaints as there are parking lots and business entrenches that are being blocked by the taxis.
One of the business owners in Dahl Street, who asked not to be named, said he had several run-ins with the taxi drivers when he complained that they were blocking the entrance to his business and he loses customers.
“I have written letters to the taxi associations and the municipal traffic department to ask for assistance, but there has been no reply yet,” he said.
Business owners in Hans van Rensburg Street are also angry as there is limited space for parking and taxi drivers are picking up passengers, which prevent customers from entering their businesses.
BONUS spoke to several taxi associations with regard to the issues motorists have and on what they are doing to address the problems mentioned.
Paul Kgopa, the Chairperson for the Limpopo Taxi Association, said the associations are working with traffic and law enforcement officials to help drivers understand the results of their actions.
“We want drivers and taxi owners to see that they need to work within the law and with this in mind we have been working with the Polokwane Traffic Department to get training for drivers, owners and taxi marshalls alike,” he said.
He added that training will be done at the Polokwane Traffic Department and he is one of many managers who is looking for the best time to assist with the training.
Local traffic officer, Francious Lubbe, said they have been made aware of the issues and that traffic officers will be deployed to assist in the problem areas.
“I am dealing with the different taxi associations and will be doing the training myself. I will focus on the issues raised and some other issues that need attention like driving under the influence, substance abuse and speeding,” Lubbe said.
