The planned construction of the Somerset West Public Transport Interchange (PTI) has been brought to a temporary halt, following a threat of legal action by residents of Caledon Street.
Putting the matter into context, Mayoral Committee member for Transport Rob Quintas said the City of Cape Town received correspondence from an attorney representing the Caledon Street residents, threatening an appeal against the contract, on Monday 20 December. “The City requested an extension of [correspondence’s] deadline of Tuesday 28 December, to allow time to compile all the information so we could respond in detail,” he said. “We gave the undertaking that, in the meantime, no work would continue at Caledon Street.”
Residents have for the past few months bemoaned the planned taxi holding area adjacent to Circle Centre, claiming it would be a mistake that could severely degrade the area for the two years it would be operational, threaten existing businesses with closure as well as negatively impact residents in the vicinity, among other concerns (“Taxi troubles”, DistrictMail, 9 December 2021).
The new multimillion rand PTI will comprise two sites abutting Church, Andries Pretorius and Victoria streets. Together, it will be approximately 4 000 m² in size, accommodating both minibus taxis and the Golden Arrow Bus Service.
But the problem that has come to light is a taxi holding area for the taxis to park between peak periods – usually from 10:00 to 14:00.
The City proposed the use of the parking area opposite Circle Centre for approximately two years to house upwards of 150 taxis, after another site was deemed unsuitable due to its heritage status.
“We, the residents and business people of the immediate area, are appalled that while the City has had many years to plan this, they are now grasping at straws to play catch up and we will not bear the brunt of their inadequate planning,” reads a petition that has garnered more than 2 000 signatures.
Some residents claim they made several attempts to engage in discussions with the City, but these were futile, and many were apparently not allowed to attend meetings due to Covid-19 restrictions.
“Every business owner felt that their say doesn’t count,” said a property owner, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “The property owners around the Caledon parking lot decided to approach an attorney also affected by the decision, to possibly take this to court for an interdict against the decision by the City.”
It was only after this action that their voices were heard by the City.
Despite complaints that meetings were not properly advertised and limited to residents, Quintas conceded that it’s difficult to arrange meetings during the Covid-19 pandemic as the City cannot risk to expose residents and employees.
“This context limited our options in terms of venues, dates for meetings (as we had to limit the number of residents) and so forth,” he said. “That said, we still managed to consult widely with all stakeholders. Eight meetings took place between 15 October and 10 December 2021, over and above a public open day where information was shared with interested and affected parties, and residents in general.”
But residents responded that these meetings were about the upgrade in general and not about the actual holding site, which is an issue that only came to light at the end of November.
Asked if alternative holding sites would be considered, Quintas replied this was being investigated. “The holding area is needed because the minibus taxis cannot park (or hold) in the construction area as this will obstruct the construction operations, and could lead to further delays and disruptions. It is also not safe for the public to be on a construction site.”
Residents reaffirmed their support for the upgrade and the establishment of a holding site, and have even found an alternative and “more suitable” site in Burg Street. “The impression we got is that the City wouldn’t even consider this site and we’re still awaiting feedback,” another property owner said. “There are clearly many issues with communication lines and we really hope for better engagement with residents and business owners.”
Elaborating on the overall project, Quintas added that it has already experienced several delays, including the outbreak of the Covid-19 and this latest challenge.
“The City asks residents to please support this project, which will see an investment of R64 million in the Somerset West CBD,” he said. “All construction projects come with a level of inconvenience. This cannot be avoided as construction must happen while life – business and commuting – continues as per normal.
“The City is trying its best to limit the impact on users, businesses and residents as far as possible, but there are limited options available for holding areas and operational areas for the minibus-taxi industry and their customers. Without a dedicated holding site for the minibus-taxis, there will be chaos in this area as the minibus-taxi operators will be parking wherever they find space.”
Ward 84 councillor Norman McFarlane echoed these sentiments: “In all the meetings and engagements about this matter, arguably the most significant stakeholder has been silent and unrepresented – the people who use taxis and buses to get to and from Somerset West to work in our businesses, offices, senior citizen facilities, gardens, and homes – and that is a travesty.”
Property owners remain cautious. “Let’s hope that the voices of many concerned business owners and residents are taken into serious consideration and that the City thinks the matter through properly this time,” the property owner related. “For a project that has been years in the making, the fact that supposedly no-one knew that the original taxi holding area in Church Street is a heritage site is laughable. What won’t be a laugh is if, despite more than 2 500 objections and more than 50 business owners, who became applicants on the letter to the City, they proceed with the Caledon Street holding area anyway.”
