Centurion taxi rank construction not without challenges – ward councillor
“Three of the taxi association bosses were assassinated in broad daylight.”
The construction of the new Centurion taxi rank has not been without challenges, according to the local ward councillor.
Five of the local taxi association chairpersons with whom ward councillor Peter Sutton have worked have been assassinated, he told Rekord this week.
“Three of these were in broad daylight,” said Sutton.
“This has really made interaction with the taxi association difficult.”
Sutton said vandalism on the construction site was also a problem.
“We are not going to let the new taxi rank be hijacked for criminal purposes.”
“Metro police have been deployed to ensure the vandalism stops.”
The new state-of-the-art Centurion taxi rank, located on the corner of South Street and Hendrik Verwoerd Drive, was expected to be opened to the public towards the beginning of February next year.
The R12-million 10 000sq/m facility would accommodate 55 taxis while providing holding areas for around 120 more, according to Sutton.
“At any given time there are about 200 taxis at the current taxi rank,” he said.
“But the taxis tend to flow and so we believe there is adequate space for taxis at the facility.”
Sutton said the majority of taxi operators and commuters remained positive about the taxi rank.
“They are very grateful for this facility which will make things a lot better.”
The rank would feature offices for local taxi associations, 22 informal kiosks for traders as well as public toilets.
More than 15 000 commuters were expected to use the facility daily.
The rank would be managed under a joint steering committee including the Tshwane metro, the Centurion taxi association and Redefine.
ALSO READ: VIDEO: Mayor officially launches Centurion taxi rank construction
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