The almost three-year-old but incomplete CBD taxi rank construction project is costing many taxi owners much more than they have bargained for.
The new rank, of which the completion is already 23 months overdue, is currently stuck in limbo, affecting the community, business- and taxi owners who economically depend on its completion.
As per the 12 February 2021 edition, the News once again investigated the construction project that has been dragging on for three years by speaking to a business owner in the area.
Also read: Community suffers as taxi rank construction halts
The Krugersdorp Taxi Association also raised their concerns shortly thereafter.
“The temporary rank at the Krugersdorp Stands doesn’t have the capacity. We’re losing a lot of money,” lamented Taxi Association member Deborah Manana.
It’s affecting us in that there’s no water or ablution facilities at this space, and it’s a health hazard. There are only three mobile toilets, but we don’t see someone coming to clean it. Residents are complaining. They don’t have shelter when it’s raining.”
Mcpherson Mkhontwana, Taxi Association disciplinary chair, said, “The new rank is central, but the one we’re using now is too far out of town. We have to ferry people from the CBD to the rank for free. From the Stands they get in taxis and go home. Taxi owners are absorbing those costs. Some taxis have been repossessed.”
Mcpherson alleged that each taxi can take 15 passengers and only operates 15 days per month, and that they lose at least 50 percent income per month for as long as the new rank is under construction.
Contractor Pit Dog Moreki and project managers Maragela Consulting Engineers declined to comment on the News‘ enquiry into the matter. Maragela resident engineer, Tumi Madumo wrote in an email to Moreki’s Andries Tsolo that, “Maragela Consulting Engineers have no right to respond to the media. This matter is for Mogale City to respond.”
Vuyani Bekwa, Mogale City Local Municipality Acting Executive Manager for Economic Services explained, beyond his responses in the precursor article published in the 12 February News edition, that, “There is a fixed budget for the project. The service provider is expected to carry the project to completion within budget. Progress has been slow on site and this has been brought to the attention of the consulting engineer.
The contractor has been told on several occasions to increase its construction team. The proposed new deadline is April 2021. However, we are still engaging the contractor on that. The date has not been approved yet.”
