A new taxi rank, which is due to open soon in Masiphumelele, is expected to make life a lot easier for commuters.
The R13.8 million project started in May last year and will replace the taxi rank east of Pokela Road, which has no office, public toilets, or shelter for commuters.
The new rank will have space for 65 minibus taxis, and it’s estimated 4 000 people will pass through it daily, catching taxis to Fish Hoek, Kommetjie, Scarborough, Sun Valley and Simon’s Town, according to mayoral committee member for transport and urban development, Felicity Purchase.
The new facility has six loading lanes with covered drop-off and pick-up facilities.
Walking lanes will provide safe and easy access to the rank and will be universally accessible for people with special needs.
The stormwater system in Pokela Road had been improved to stop the road flooding, Ms Purchase said. There will be solar panels on the rank’s roof, so it won’t be affected by load shedding (“Big boost for Masi rank”, Echo April 5 2018) and rainwater will be harvested from the roof and stored in 9000-litre tanks.
Masiphumelele resident Veronica Pongolo, who walks past the new rank daily to catch a taxi to work in Fish Hoek, said it looked great.
“I am excited for the new facility to open and it will definitely benefit the people of Masiphumelele,” she said.
