Taxi industry awaits bridge repairs
The South African National Taxi Council in the Ugu region said it will be patient and wait for six months for the bridge to be fixed.
Due to the closure of the Mzimkhulu River bridge, many people travelling from the north of Port Shepstone are facing hardship due to the extra financial strain of paying toll fees or enduring a longer and inconvenient commute on the alternative route.
Meanwhile, the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in the Ugu region said it will be patient and wait for six months for the bridge to be fixed.
Regional secretary Richard Mchunu emphasised that they are not complaining at all about the bridge being closed.
“Firstly, we appreciate it, and we are excited that the bridge is finally getting fixed because this is our everyday route, and it was bothering us the state it is in.”
Mchunu said their passengers are late getting to work because of heavy traffic and requested that employers be understanding.
According to Mchunu, the alternative route, the P464, is narrow, and now it’s worse because trucks are using it.
He added that the toll fees are costly and eating into their pockets, but they have come up with a plan so that not every taxi uses the N2 toll.
“Everything is delayed, and there is pressure and frustration, but we will have to be patient; it will only bear good results.”
Mchunu said at a meeting with the MEC of Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, a toll fee waiver was discussed.
He hopes that the National Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, responds to the request soon.
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