Plans to establish a permanent public transport facility at Kolonnade Shopping Centre in Montana have stalled due to a lack of engagement from the mall’s management, according to the metro.

This comes despite significant planning work by the metro already having been completed and ongoing challenges faced by commuters, taxi operators, and street traders who rely on the busy retail hub.

The project, first introduced as part of the Montana public transport concept, aims to address longstanding issues of informal taxi operations, unsafe trading practices, traffic congestion, and poor pedestrian safety along the rapidly developing Sefako Makgatho Drive corridor.

The metro said progress is now entirely dependent on Kolonnade management coming to the table.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that while discussions initially appeared promising, the centre has not followed through.

“The draft Montana public transport concept was submitted to the Kolonnade management, and [they] agreed to have a follow-up meeting to discuss and finalise inputs.

“However, the meeting has never taken place, since the Kolonnade management was the one [who needed] to convene such a meeting,” said Mashigo.

With no follow-up engagement, the metro mentioned that it cannot finalise key aspects of the precinct plan, including space allocation, facility layout, access arrangements, or timelines for construction.

“No formal agreements have been reached. The metro still awaits a response from the Kolonnade management to ensure that an agreement is reached,” added Mashigo.

In the interim, the metro established a temporary taxi holding area within the centre parking lot to reduce congestion along Sefako Makgatho Drive, a move that both commuters and operators have welcomed.

Mashigo confirmed that the measure remains in place.

“Yes, the temporary parking area set aside for public transport is still in place, and it is fully utilised. The movement has reduced traffic along Sefako Makgatho Drive, especially next to the Sasol Garage.

“The commuters experience a much safer environment, and the risk of being knocked down or attacked along the road has decreased.”

Despite this temporary arrangement, conditions remain far from ideal, especially for commuters who face long waits in harsh weather.

Local commuter Sarah Mabotja said the lack of proper facilities remains a daily struggle.

“As someone who takes a taxi to work every day, it’s frustrating to see that the centre doesn’t have a rank yet.

“There is no shelter, so when it rains, you get soaked, and when it’s hot, the trees from the shopping centre are the only ones that provide shade. We need a proper waiting area, and the taxis should have designated stops.”

Taxi operators share the same frustrations, with safety and organisation being key concerns.

Taxi driver John Mabena said the absence of a formal rank creates challenges for drivers and passengers.

“There’s nowhere for people to sit while waiting. We need better security and lighting, especially early in the morning and late at night.

“The commuters deserve a clean, well-organised space, and so do we. I’m glad this issue is finally getting attention; it’s long overdue.”

The project also includes plans to formalise trading around the centre, where informal stalls have mushroomed over the years.

Mashigo confirmed that the Local Economic Development Department has already completed the first step.

“The department has identified all unlicensed traders affected along the street.”

He added that traders would only receive designated stalls once they are formally registered and the concept plan is completed.

Illegal trading, he said, will be addressed through enforcement to ensure a cleaner, safer precinct.

Mashigo stressed that the metro had completed all preliminary planning required to establish a formal public transport facility at the Kolonnade precinct.

But without co-operation from the mall’s management, the metro is unable to move forward.

“The next steps depend on a collaborative approach with Kolonnade Shopping Centre management and other major mall owners in the surrounding Montana area,” he explained.

He noted that past experiences have shown that infrastructure developed without community and stakeholder buy-in often ends up underutilised.

These projects then often become white elephants, as they are rejected by those meant to use them.

Because of this, Tshwane has adopted a partnership-based model that has already proven successful.

“Similar models have worked at centres such as Menlyn and Brooklyn, where mall management worked with the municipality to ensure that safe, accessible, and well-located taxi facilities were incorporated into the precinct,” said Mashigo.

The municipality still hopes to replicate this at the centre, but cannot proceed alone.

“Once co-operation is secured, the metro will finalise the concept design, conduct stakeholder consultations, and initiate the project implementation process,” he said.

Kolonnade Centre Management was approached for comment, but had not responded by the time of publication.

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