UPDATE: Taxi traffic chaos continues in Craighall Park and Rosebank
CRAIGHALL PARK – Taxis continue to drive recklessly causing further frustration for motorists.
Despite many reports by motorists made to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department concerning the traffic jams caused by reckless taxis, the issue persists.
“This is a citywide issue and these images have been sent to the relevant authorities, with no perceived action,” said motorist, Nick Human.
“Unless there is a significant move on a political level, the situation will only grow every year.”
Those who regularly drive on Jan Smuts Avenue in Craighall Park are all too familiar with the chaos which often ensues during peak hour traffic due to taxi drivers ignoring the rules of the road. Several intersections have become a traffic nightmare as taxis push their way into oncoming traffic, turning a two-way road into a messy one-way traffic jam.
“I have brought this issue to the [Metro police] before and I haven’t received any feedback yet,” said Ward 90 councillor, Martin Williams.
Read WATCH: Taxis cause havoc on the corner of Argyle and Jan Smuts avenues in Craighall Park
Argyle Avenue is not the only road affected by this problem. It is reported that roads such as Westminster Road and Lancaster Avenue are under traffic pressure due to taxis during peak hours, including the corner of Lancaster and Jan Smuts avenues, as well as the corner of Westminster Road and Jan Smuts Avenue.
“The Johannesburg Roads Agency created a no stopping zone in Clarence Avenue, Craighall Park, at the Buckingham Avenue intersection,” said motorist, Peter Duck.
“However, the taxis completely ignore this and park up to five or six taxis there every afternoon causing much traffic chaos. I have never seen Metro police or anyone else enforcing this [no stopping zone].”
Edna Mamonyane, spokesperson for Metro police, was notified of this issue and confirmed that Metro police would monitor the situation. “I have notified the area commander of this issue and I will soon be updated as to how they are dealing with it,” Mamonyane said.
Let us know your stories or thoughts on the taxi issue by emailing the Rosebank Killarney Gazette on rkg@caxton.co.za
