Taxis set to get a new home
Taxis set to get a new home
The R 60-million investment in the public transport interchange on the two sites adjacent to Church Street in Somerset West is taking place after the City of Cape Town purchased a portion of the Vineyard Centre Parking area. The section housed an informal taxi rank for years. The formal Somerset West Taxi Rank is behind the town hall, between Church Street and Victoria Road.
The designs, which were to be presented at an open day at the end of September, were not presented according to Councillor Stuart Pringle.
“The proposed open day for residents to have a look at and discuss the City’s plans wasn’t announced as it was decided to postpone it after the comments and submissions made at the ward outreach public meeting in August,”he said.
Pringle further explained that following this meeting, the management of the Vineyard Centre and the executive members of the local taxi association who had also attended the meeting, provided the City with their proposals and positive suggestions to deal with the issue raised by some residents.
“The City will be taking these proposals and reworking them in time for the open day to be held at the library. There is still sufficient time to engage thoroughly around this and I’m grateful to everyone who has raised concerns, particularly those who have poropsed solutions, ” added Pringle.
The plan is that roads will be made safer and upgraded, the additional security will make the area safer, there will be better facilities for taxis and their passengers, traders and their customers, including public toilets and solid concrete trading bays to replace the informal looking stalls. The area will also be managed so that the entire area is kept clean and safe.
According to a report, the issue of interim measures to accommodate the taxis and traders during the 18 months of construction, which is set to commence in the next three to five months, has been the subject of engagement with residents, business owners, taxi and informal trading associations. The City’s key proposals is that the taxis will rank at the bottom of Church Street.
As an alternative to disembarking passengers throughout the CBD, a drop-and-go has to be found close to the CBD, which causes least disruption to businesses and residents. The most likely City proposal is to secure and use a portion of the library parking as a drop-and-go. This area has been discussed with with the police, Somerset West CID, Somerset West CPF, business owners and residents.