Ocean View’s taxi rank is in desperate need of an upgrade, says the chairman of the Fish Hoek and Ocean View Taxi Association.
Rashaad Adams says the City of Cape Town provided the rank with two shipping containers about two years ago but, has yet to make good on promises to provide electricity, running water and flushing toilets.
“There are no toilet facilities for commuters and the City is dragging its heels,” he said.
The City had demolished an office building, which had had a toilet in it, and the community did not know why.
“Many people come to the taxi rank as early as 4am and there is nowhere for them to sit and have a cup of coffee. We have asked the City to sign over the containers to us so we can make use of them but they have declined. The containers are currently empty and only serve as shelter for commuters,” he said.
An Ocean View resident, who would only give her name as Rose, said she used the taxi rank daily, but the lack of shelter made her feel unsafe, especially early in the morning and at night.
It felt like Ocean View was being left out in the cold by the City, she said, at a time when Masiphumelele looked set to benefit from a range of new developments, including a R14 million taxi rank (“Masi development plan ready,” Echo, October 11).
Ocean View had celebrated its 50th anniversary recently but still did not have a decent taxi rank, Rose said.
Mr Adams said the City was in talks with the community about upgrading facilities in Ocean View but after attend-
ing one meeting, he said, it had been clear to him the City had its own agenda and was not interested in the well-being of the broader community.
Ward councillor Felicity Purchase said an upgrade of the taxi rank was on the cards for Ocean View and would be done through the community action plan (CAP), in which Ocean View community representatives had participated in recent months.
Ms Purchase said the R190 millionKommetjieRoad upgrade was due for completion by December next year.