MEC: Transport issues cannot persist
Transport MEC, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, says as the transport regulator, her department may provide alternative means of transport for commuters should the taxi violence issue in Polokwane persist.
Commuters were once again left stranded for two days as they were unable to access the taxis to and from their homes and workplaces recently.
Commuters had to rely on Great North Transport (GNT) buses or e-hailing services that charge almost three times that of the taxi rate.
This, after members of Seshego Polokwane Taxi Association and Moletjie Taxi Association were at loggerheads since last year over the routes and permits.
During this time, a sedan and taxi belonging to the two associations were set alight. Intervention from the department assisted in diffusing the situation and a task team was set up to assist is putting an end to the violence.
In an engagement session with Lerule-Ramakhanya, she made it clear that if the situation does not get better her department will be forced to introduce alternative transport and remove the taxis from the disputed routes.
“As a department we have rolled out a plan to address these issues of taxi violence, but this plan will not be successful overnight. The plan is aimed at assisting the affected parties with understanding the routes and their permits. There have been some changes in permits and this will be the chance for everyone to understand how they are affected.”
According to Lerule-Ramakhanya, the plan includes physical visitation of the routes in question for better understanding, the engagements will be continuous in order to ensure there is growth in the industry and that the safety of commuters is maintained.
“The associations have agreed to stop fighting and work together within the stipulated time frames, and a roadmap will be observed to ensure that milestones are reached. The commuters are high priority and their safety is important. The violence among taxi operators affects them most and as a department we will put them first even if it means pulling taxis from the route and replacing them with alternative means of transport such as buses.”
Lerule-Ramakhanya has urged commuters to be the ears and eyes of the department, and to report any violent activities to the police immediately.
