Taxi rank stuck in suburb
BENMORE - Benmore residents want the taxi rank on the corner of Marie and 11th avenues to close down.
However, Parkmore Community Association chairperson, Brian Robertson said the taxi association, ward councillors and Metro police gave taxis permission to park in the space from 9am to 3.30pm daily. Robertson said the rank had become a convenient space to operate from, as taxis were often called to collect passengers at the nearby Benmore Gardens shopping centre.
“I know it is not ideal for taxis to park in the middle of a suburb, but what’s the alternative?” he asked. He told Sandton Chronicle that the city council did not have a transport plan for Sandton, and he had already petitioned the transport department to close down the rank, but said they had not assisted with this.
“We cannot just chase them away. It is the law to find another place for them,” commented Robertson.
“Parkmore Community Association has championed this situation long and hard with the city council. Until there is a traffic plan for Sandton, nothing will change.”
Metro police spokesperson, Edna Mamonyane said they were not authorised to give permission for ranks to relocate.
Selina Khumalo of the department of transport said they had been in contact with Robertson for years regarding the relocation of the rank.
“We have tried different avenues to move them, unfortunately there is no land available,” she said. “There is no public facility set up for the taxis and the shopping centre has no space.
“We are aware it is getting out of hand, but no one is willing to compromise,” added Khumalo.
