Brooklyn circle taxi rank only temporary
"The infrastructure will provide for a place to pick-up and drop off passengers."
Minibus taxis that are parked and washed within the Brooklyn circle are a cause for concern.
AJ Krugel, whose office overlooks the landmark, said that the “taxi rank” at the circle in Jan Shoba Drive and Fehrsen Street caused problems for the residents and workers in and around Brooklyn.
“This is not just with regard to traffic chaos, but there has also been a significant increase in crime in the last three months. In our office alone we have had three incidents where our staff’s mobile phones were stolen while they were walking to get lunch.
“Also, I can only assume they use water that we as taxpayers pay for, to wash the taxis,” said Krugel, about the taxis that are washed in the middle of the circle.
Krugel said the circle had become a parking site for taxis in between peak hour traffic. “They also use the yellow painted island to stop and pick up passengers. This causes traffic congestion.”
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Within the bigger circle there is a smaller one meant to be used for vehicles that want to enter the road. When the minibus taxis use the small circle as a taxi rank, cars cannot use the circle for the purpose it was meant for.
“The circle itself is a mess and the previous green grass is now just brown soil.”
Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said that taxis were allowed to temporarily use the circle.
“There are plans for the road upgrades of the Brooklyn circle to incorporate a taxi rank.
The infrastructure will provide for a place to pick-up and drop off passengers,” said Mashigo.
He said the upgrade would after June.
“It will result in no taxis holding in the circle. But there is a plan to provide a holding area nearby.”
Mashigo said there was a plan for the public transport strategy to include taxi ranks in the east including the Menlyn area.
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“By integrating all public transport modes the intention is to provide a better, efficient and safer service for Tshwane residents,” said Mashigo.
“The metro has conducted several studies which have recommended several areas for public transport holding areas.”
Kate Prinsloo, ward 56 councillor, confirmed that the council permitted a taxi rank to operate [in the circle] as a temporary solution, until the end of December.
“The issue was constantly on the agenda of the meeting of the residents’ association.
The association, the city and different taxi associations, agreed with Brooklyn mall to set aside 35 parking areas as a holding site as well as drop-off and pick up areas for taxis.”
She said that provision would also be made for washing bays for the taxis.
“A small kiosk and ablution blocks are also apart of the plans,” said Prinsloo.
“The process is already far in advance. The provision of the parking areas will be done soon.
But the problem is that two taxi associations are involved.
One uses Cherry Lane as a drop-off zone and the other Fehrsen Street next to the mall.
The metro is in discussion with owners of Cherry Lane about the possibility of a same type of agreement as the one at Brooklyn Mall.”
“Hopefully an agreement will be reached soon.”
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