Wierda Park taxi rank facilities get a boost

The Citizen

2 days ago

The metro has begun upgrading the ablution facilities used by taxi drivers next to the Wierda Park shopping centre, following complaints about the condition of toilets and shelters in the area.
The upgrades follow earlier concerns raised by taxi drivers, business and property owners about the deterioration of public infrastructure inside the shopping centre, poor hygiene conditions of the toilets used by taxi drivers and the lack of space around the existing taxi rank.
According to Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the project began on May 12 and is expected to be completed by June 27.
He said the upgrade is being implemented by contractor Matlailas Plumbing and Builders CC in a joint venture with Bafihleli Business Enterprise, with a total project cost of R630 295.
'There are no phases in this project. The current improvements are strictly limited to ablution block refurbishments and shelter upgrades,' Mashigo clarified.
He also confirmed that there are no plans to expand the taxi rank or launch a second phase.
'The city would like all public transport facilities to be of a high standard and to give dignity to public transport users and stakeholders. However, this exercise is based on the funding available, and there is a backlog of facilities that require upgrades,' he said.
Although no formal complaints have been received since the upgrades began, Mashigo said that the project is being monitored closely by the Transport Development Division under the Roads and Transport Department.
'The project manager conducts regular site visits and receives constant updates from the contractor,' he added.
On broader planning, he said the initiative is informed by the city's comprehensive integrated transport plan, which aims to reduce the distance people need to walk to access public transport by bringing facilities closer to users.
Regarding community safety and waste management, Mashigo said that since the scope of work is not large-scale, pedestrian safety has not been significantly impacted.
'Waste generated during the upgrade will be disposed of by the contractor, and the metro's environmental waste management unit is also monitoring the project.'
He added that the Department of Roads and Transport will continue to manage the completed facilities and is in discussions with the metro police and the energy and electricity departments about improving lighting and security in the area.
Ward 70 Councillor Marika Kruger-Muller confirmed the project's commencement in May and said the last official planning meeting took place in March.
'At the March 11 meeting, city planners discussed not just the shopping centre but also the wider area, including the taxi rank. Currently, we are in what was referred to as Phase 1, covering maintenance and refurbishment of the ablution facilities and shelter upgrades,' Kruger-Muller said.
She added that the work includes a refurbishment of the ablution block and the taxi platform shelters.
Kruger-Muller acknowledged the lack of a follow-up meeting to discuss what many, including herself and taxi association leaders, hoped would be Phase 2, which is the expansion of the rank.
'This will likely be raised again at the end of the financial year in June. The taxi rank is simply too small for the number of taxis it now needs to accommodate,' she said.
She previously said the increase in the number of taxis over the years has caused congestion in the shopping centre, resulting in complaints from business owners over the lack of customer parking.
She also highlighted that the toilets had been in a deplorable state and that rubbish bins were often broken or overflowing.
Chairperson of the Zwanani Marabastad Taxi Association, Mpho Motsepe, expressed his satisfaction with the current upgrades.
'I think the upgrading of the facilities is a great improvement for us taxi drivers and commuters,' said Motsepe.
'The toilets were old, and now they are building advanced ones that will be easier to clean. They are also fixing our shelters here at the taxi rank, trying to improve them.'
Motsepe confirmed that the association was consulted before the project began.
'We were engaged and consulted before the project started. It was myself, the councillor, and the Tshwane Transport Department,' he said.
However, like Kruger-Muller, Motsepe believes the upgrades should go further.
'Our expectations going forward as the taxi association are that we want an extension of the taxi rank because it is too small,' he said.
'We even proposed the idea to them to extend it by adding more shelters and benches for the comfort of our commuters, and they said they will take that into consideration.'
Motsepe said feedback from commuters has been positive.
'So far, the commuters are happy, as they've told us that what they have been crying about for the longest time is finally being taken into consideration,' he said.
He added that the taxi rank will now be considered a permanent fixture, and the association will continue to monitor and improve the facilities.
In April, business owners at the shopping centre reported that the small size of the existing rank forced taxis to park in the shopping centre itself, limiting parking for customers and contributing to a sense of disorder and lack of safety.
At the time, business owner Morne Hattingh of Buffalo's and property manager Lufuno Tshivhase voiced concerns about broken infrastructure, crime and a drop in sales linked to taxi activity in the area.
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