There have been mixed feelings about the new taxi rank in Alexandra Street and the changes that came with it. Last week, an Estcourt News reporter headed out to the Public Transport Facility (taxi rank) and asked taxi drivers, vendors and commuters what they had to say about the facility.

The long-awaited Umtshezi Public Transport Facility in Alexandra Street, which opened for business in May this year, had taxi ranks shuffled to various areas in town while under construction. This also left vendors and passengers concerned about their protection from weather elements.

While this is no longer a concern for commuters, it remains a concern for vendors. A group of women selling snacks and fruit and vegetables say they are happy with the new facility, but they feel excluded.

“We would like shelters, like the ones we had at both the previous and temporary ranks. In winter, we are bound to have rainy days, what do we do? Are we expected to pack up and go home and ultimately lose out on business? We pay rent for the areas we trade in, therefore we also want to see development,” echoed the women.

Another female vendor pointed out that the water flowing from taxis being washed near her stall often wets the boxes, which act as her support structure. Others vendors are unhappy that they have to pay to use the toilets. Overall, commuters, vendors and taxi operators love the facility and say it’s a great improvement for their business and town.

“I love our taxi rank, it’s beautiful, easy to find, the walking distance is reasonable and makes catching the taxi to and from destinations a pleasure,” said a young commuter with excitement. A taxi driver nodded in agreement to this sentiment.

A nearby barber, Rich Mlenzi Zidane, shared the commuters’ sentiments and added that the new rank is bigger and better and accommodates everyone as compared to the previous one.

After rumours of funds drying up to erect the transport hub circulated, the modern multi-level facility stands firm on the corner of Alexandra and Philips streets and has become a business site for informal traders and the ‘go to’ spot to get about for public transport users.