Revamping of taxi rank nearly completed
Businesses unhappy about taxis parking in the street.
Taxi Rank 5’s facelift is close to completion.
According to Councillor Willie van der Schyf (Section 79 Chairman for Economic Development) the taxi rank will be complete within the next month.
The upgrade that started in 2013 is a joint project by the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Transport.
Except for roofs that are being built to give shelter for commuters from the weather, the Department of Economic Development has played a big roll in incorporating kiosks for street vendors at the rank.
Some residents and businesses in the area has complained though that due to the construction the taxi drivers use Albertina Sisulu Road as a makeshift taxi rank. This causes obvious traffic problems. Although there was a heavy contingent of metro police officers patrolling the area by foot and vehicle when the Record visited the site, they did not seem to mind the infringements.
The taxi owners the Record spoke to at this busy hub in the CBD by the train station, were pleased with the prospect of an improved rank with better conditions for their passengers.
“Our biggest problem used to be rainy days. Passengers often had to stand in the rain waiting for a taxi and we are now very pleased to know that there will be more comfort for our customers,” says taxi owner Gift Kgatla.
