Stage 1 of Centurion state-of-the-art taxi rank complete

Stage one of Centurion’s state-of-the-art taxi rank, located on the corner of South Street and Hendrik Verwoerd Drive, was complete.

The taxi rank was not yet officially open, according to Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.

Mashigo said the metro was satisfied that a good job was done with the R12-million, derived from Redefine Properties, spent to erect the facility on 10 000sq/m to accommodate 55 taxis.

“The rank will be managed by a committee consisting of members of the metro, the Centurion taxi association and Centurion Mall, owned by Redefine properties.”

Mashigo explained that the work was planned in stages, and that the final touches and finishes, including shelter, will be completed in stage two.

MMC for roads and transport in Tshwane Dikeledi Shilowa said stage two will commence in the next financial year.

She confirmed the metro were in discussions with regional chairpersons and the taxi association.

Two more meetings were scheduled, which will take place in the near future, before the metro can approach Redefine Properties to officially hand over the rank to the taxi industry.

“Finishes such as refuse bins and line marking that must still be affixed as well as issues such as illegal taxis from Ekhureleni and Johannesburg that work the area were brought under our attention and still need to be addressed.”

She said it was important to engage with all role players to ensure all are satisfied, because the metro wants the public to use the facility.

“If not occupied because of unsolved issues, the metro will just be stuck with a white elephant and deserted premises always impose a crime risk, which we wish to avoid,” Shilowa said.

Features of the rank includes the following:

• Offices for local taxi associations
• 22 kiosks for informal traders
• Public toilets
• Two traffic categories: holding, and loading of passengers
• Free Wi-Fi