The brand-new, multimillion-rand Somerset West Public Transport Interchange (PTI) is struggling to cope and accommodate the daily demand of up to 400 minibus taxis and dozens of Golden Arrow buses.
This belief comes amid complaints relating to illegally parked taxis blocking roads in the Somerset West CBD and buses parked in residential areas.
While there has been some relief for passengers and businesses since the opening of the facility last month, following more than two years of construction, the wider community has bemoaned the inconvenience that continues to affect surrounding residents and motorists.
Some residents expressed that the Somerset West PTI was meant to ease traffic congestion and accommodate all public transport – at least that’s what they were told after they lodged numerous objections to the temporary holding site at the end of Church Street during the construction period.
The site now appears to have become more permanent for accommodating an overflow of taxis from the PTI.
“At our first meeting with PTI (City officials) to air our concerns about a temporary rank in February 2022, we were assured that as soon as the PTI project was in operation these taxis would be removed from our community,” said a resident.
“This obviously was misinformation we were given, for now we hear a different story.”
- DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette reported on residents’ objections to the site (“Residents delay taxi holding site”, 24 January 2022.
This month, residents logged several complaints with the Traffic Department relating to illegal parking of taxis blocking traffic in the vicinity.
According to Maxine Bezuidenhout, spokesperson for the City’s Traffic Service, officers issued 40 fines and impounded four taxis earlier this month.
“Due to operational interventions throughout the metropole, the Transport Enforcement Unit cannot have a 24/7 deployment at said address. The traffic related challenges at the PTI will be addressed by the traffic service operational deployment plan.”
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette asked the City to comment on claims that the PTI was too small and not sufficient for all taxis, its plan going forward, and whether the temporary holding site in Church Street was meant to be a permanent one.
It was also drawn on why buses were parked in surrounding residential streets. “The response on the technical aspects of the PTI itself requires a lengthier response and is being compiled and verified,” the City said in response.
“It will be sent as soon as it is ready from Rob Quintas, Mayoral Committee member for Urban Mobility.”
A full response from the City will be published once forthcoming.
