Taxi rank construction concerns escalate

You might have driven through the CBD during the past 18 months, coming from or driving to Krugersdorp North and wondered what was going on in the field on the corner of Pretoria and Fountain Streets.

On 2 May 2018, a project was officially started, through which the Mogale City Local Municipality, through the use of contractors, meant to improve and enlarge the small and somewhat informal taxi rank located next to the field. The entire field was cordoned off and construction started. The new taxi rank would be properly paved, clearly marked for better flow of traffic and the parking of taxis, with a stable roof overhead and multiple restrooms.

The project was expected to take 10 months, and should have been finished by 29 March 2019, as per initial planning. Unfortunately, various unforeseen circumstances caused delays throughout. An extension of five months was announced, and the project was set to finish on 13 December 2019, three months from the time of writing this article.

But, many interest groups have contacted the News recently, stating that they’re of the opinion that the project is not far enough along to make that goal. For the last three weeks, the News has passed the site multiple times and noted first-hand that there were either very few or no workers on site during operating hours.

On Tuesday, 3 September, a group of military veterans in Krugersdorp, along with some taxi association representatives, went to the building site and reportedly blocked access for workers to the premises. They claimed that many workers have not been paid and they were there to find answers for the matter. On this occasion, they also claimed that much of the work on the new taxi rank was at a standstill as many of the workers have not been paid for previous workdays. They also noted that they wondered if the project would have sufficient funds left to be completed, as it seemed that it was still far from being finished.

Ismail Kaka and Doctor Zaid Rouknudeen are two of the more vocal business owners who have been badly affected by this building project. They noted that the construction of the taxi rank itself was not much of a problem for them, although the lack of taxi traffic has had an effect on the number of pedestrians and possible customers in their area. Ismail claimed that the closing of the rank caused a decrease of about 40 per cent in the foot traffic to his shop, Rank Supermarket.

The problem for Ismail and Zaid is another part of the project, which was apparently not part of the original plan. Sections of both Pretoria and Fountain Streets adjacent to the new rank were closed off as new drainage had to be installed to ensure that the rank and area did not become flooded after heavy rainfall. The closure of these roads means that road users have to take an alternative route which completely bypasses the businesses opposite the rank.

The blocking off of Pretoria Street is especially problematic as this road is the only way to access many of these businesses, such as Rank Supermarket and Zaid’s medical practice. Vehicles need to park a few streets away and customers need to walk to the businesses. A side road, Van Breda Street, was supposed to be made available to the businesses affected, and would be reserved for delivery vehicles only, according to both men. However, the News found on many different days that the road was packed with parked personal cars, not delivery vehicles. Ismail noted that it’s difficult for customers who buy in bulk to get their goods to their vehicles, and that they have to use a forklift to convey the products to their vehicles. All of this needs to be done on the small pavement space in front of the shops, which is the only way to get to these businesses. Movement is difficult, especially since pedestrians also need to use this space.

Zaid also noted that he has elderly and sick patients who cannot park far away and walk to his practice. This has caused him a loss of income. He also pointed out the possible health risks, claiming that there has been an increase in public urination and defecation on the sidewalks and next to the buildings.

According to Ismail, Zaid and Councillor Lynette Zwankhuizen, work on the road started early in February 2019 and was set to be completed by the beginning of May 2019. At the beginning of September, four months after the deadline, the road was yet to be completed. Construction on the road and the rank are apparently being conducted simultaneously.

According to a progress report, 98 per cent, that is,18 months of the allotted time for the project have elapsed, with 67,4 per cent of the physical project completed. The logical conclusion would be that 32,6 per cent of the work would have to be done in two per cent of the entire project’s time to meet their updated deadline.

This report also revealed that more than R105 million was allocated to fund the project. Over R71 million has already been used, which leaves R34 million to finish the project. This boils down to 32,8 per cent of the budget being left over to complete 32,6 per cent of the work in two per cent of the time.

It remains to be seen if the project will be completed by December, or if more delays will arise.