Opening of Centurion taxi rank on the cards
An official handover date will be communicated soon once all the final arrangements have been concluded.
Although not formally opened yet, all parties involved with the newly-built state-of-the-art taxi rank Centurion have committed to relocating to the premises.
Roads and transport MMC Dikeledi Selowa said that engagements between her office and the Centurion taxi rank role-players were progressing positively.
She said she recently met with the resident operator, the Centurion Taxi Association (CTA) together with Transport Operators Pace Initiators Conglomerated Taxi Associations (TOPICA).
“The meeting was progressive with robust discussions addressing several concerns, after which all parties involved committed to relocating to the new premises,” Selowa said.
“The relocation process will happen gradually over a period of a few weeks. It is a mammoth task that involves transferring taxi operations. Taxi operations are made up of over 10 different associations moving into the new facility.”
She said the newly built facility would accommodate 55 taxis, and will include offices for local taxi associations and space for informal traders. More than 15 000 commuters were expected to use the facility daily.
Selowa pleaded with residents to be patient while her offices implemented the relocation plan with buy-in from all the relevant stakeholders.
“This is a crucial piece of public transport infrastructure model that will strengthen mobility in the city,” she said about the facility at the corner of Hendrik Verwoerd Drive and South Street.
Local DA ward councillor Peter Sutton said on Friday that he was aware of complaints about phase two not yet being implemented.
“People using the rank must keep in mind it is still a work in progress. At least we have water, sanitation, ablution facilities and lights in place, and the dustbins are being installed as we speak.
“Tshwane metro is now taking ownership of the rank in co-operation with the taxi associations and it has to be managed correctly,” Sutton said.
“Most commuters are happy that the facility can now be utilised, however, we must still await the completion of phase two which includes shade at the rank.
Taxi drivers said the fact that there was no Wi-Fi yet, caused problems when people got lost and had to be sent directions.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said an official handover date will be communicated soon once all the final arrangements have been concluded.
The rank will be managed by a committee consisting of members of the metro, the Centurion taxi association and Centurion mall owners, Redefine properties.
R12-million, derived from Redefine Properties, was spent to erect the facility on 10 000sq/m to accommodate 55 taxis.
Features of the rank include the following:
– Offices for local taxi associations, as well as various other offices such as an info booth.
– 23 kiosks for informal traders.
– Public toilets and ablution facility.
– Two traffic categories: holding, and loading of passengers.
– Free Wi-Fi.
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