THE eThekwini Municipality council recently approved an amount of just over R13m for eThekwini Transport Authority to use on public transport infrastructure projects across several wards, including in Winklespruit, Warner Beach, Umbumbulu, and Isipingo.

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Of this money, just over R7.4m will be used for vandal-proof public transport shelters as well as for their design, development, and construction. The other R5.6m will be for the erection of fencing at various public transport ranks and routes.

In Umbumbulu and Magabheni taxi ranks, shelters will be built for R500 000 apiece. In Warner Beach and Winklespruit along Andrew Zondo and Winklespruit roads, four sites will be fenced for a total of R80 000 at R20 000 apiece. In Isipingo, two sites along Phila Ndwandwe Road will be fenced for a total of R40 000.

Asked whether the municipal funds are being spent wisely by building shelters at taxi ranks and fencing vacant lots, Vernon John of Athlone Park said the taxi industry makes millions every day and should be able to buy or renovate its own infrastructure.

“How much is eThekwini getting in revenue from those taxi ranks to justify spending half a million rands on each? What value are the people who actually pay the rates getting from the municipality?” asked John.

He reckoned that the eThekwini Transport Authority could have used the funds to fix potholes and street lights.

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