Taxis spoil shoppers’ moods
Residents were furious with the continuous use of the parking bays and areas by taxis, and alleged that the reckless and dangerous driving and antics of taxi drivers
In a recent debate on social media, residents who had enough with the taxis at Newcastle Mall, slammed its management.
Residents were furious with the continuous use of the parking bays and areas by taxis, and alleged that the reckless and dangerous driving and antics of taxi drivers, were hindering their shopping experience.
Marketing manager of the mall, Beulah Rajkumar explained: “The use of the Newcastle Mall’s parking area by the taxis has been a very contentious and frustrating issue for all involved.
“The growing concern about public safety is also a matter that we take very seriously.”
Previously, the violence of the taxi wars had extended to affect the mall as well, when a bloody fight occurred.
The mall’s centre management has since had numerous meetings with the relevant departments to expedite the issue of permits by Department of Transport (DOT) to relevant taxi associations, to control and stop taxis operating illegally.
“Until the DOT has issued such permits to the taxi associations, we have to, for the interim, endure and accommodate the taxis in the mall parking area as it is essential to customers visiting the mall, including the mall employees, who rely heavily on public transport,” said Mrs Rajkumar.
She promised the mall would continue to make every effort possible to get the mall’s taxi rank operational, and will remain in close relations with the DOT, the Traffic Department and SAPS in order to expedite and resolve this matter.
