North state-of-the-art rank nears completion
Chairperson of the Tshwane transport committee Elmarie Linde said great progress had been made at the bus/taxi rank.
A new state-of-the-art bus and taxi rank that is under construction in Soshanguve is nearing completion.
A delegation consisting of engineers, councillors and officials from the Tshwane metro transport committee went on an oversight visit to the project on Tuesday to assess progress.
Chairperson of the Tshwane transport committee Elmarie Linde said great progress had been made at the bus/taxi rank.
“We are looking forward to finalising the project by November this year,” said Linde.
She said one of the challenges was the replacement of a contractor appointed by the previous administration who failed to achieve the set targets.
The metro was forced to replace the contractor and appoint a new one who would get the job done.
“What is amazing is that the new contractor is a woman, Brenda Siobo, who is site agent for Bophelong construction, and she has done an excellent work so far,” said Linde.
Linde said the new bus-taxi rank was a multimillion-rand facility.
“We are creating a transport facility for all transport modes including buses and taxis. The rank will have a medical facility to provide drivers easy access, the first ever in Africa. The drivers are always on the roads and do not have a chance to go to clinics and hospitals. They will have quick medical check-ups, check blood pressure and get their eyes checked,” she said.
She said the metro had ploughed back 37% of the total cost of the project into the community.
“This project is like the second attempt to complete it. Because in the previous administration another project was appointed but failed to complete the project. The new bus/taxi rank will have hawkers facilities, and they will have water and electricity.”
Construction of the hub, which incorporates a taxi and bus rank, began in 2014 with a budget of R47.7-million.
It was expected to be completed by September 2016.
The development had brought joy to drivers and commuters alike.
The taxi rank was used by more than 50 000 passengers weekly.
“The facility will accommodate 138 taxis during peak hours as well as 18 holding bays for buses. As part of the larger Mabopane station modal interchange, Rietgat public transport facilities comprise of the local taxi rank, long distance taxi rank, and bus rank,” the city said.
“The project aims to change the current configuration of local and long distance taxi rank so as to accommodate the bigger taxis and improve traffic circulation for taxis and buses. It will also reduce pedestrian and vehicle conflict by changing from current parallel loading configuration to a linear configuration by alleviating the shortage of drop-off and pick up bays, exposing more traders to commuters passing by having loading bays along the entire western edge.
“There will be trading stalls and management building, bus facilities and shelter for passengers.”
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