Following the launch of the newly-constructed Somerset West Public Transport Interchange (PTI), some residents claim there are still disruptions and nuisances that are yet to be dealt with by the City of Cape Town.
The R65-million facility, which was officially opened on two sites adjacent to the Vineyard Shopping Centre in the Somerset West CBD early this month, took more than two years to construct (“Somerset West PTI officially opened”, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 12 June).
An estimated 1 000 commuters and about 300 minibus taxis will use the new PTI that will serve 12 destinations. The Golden Arrow Bus Service will also operate from the facility.
Before and during construction, the ire was raised as commuters and those residing in surrounding neighbourhoods endured several inconveniences.
The recent complaints includes frustrations of some taxi drivers, who allege the facility is not ideal. These include constricted space with an estimated 100 taxis without a holding area, high roofs not protecting commuters on rainy days, and claims that many commuters are still catching taxis from the side of the road, instead of using the PTI as initially intended.
According to the City it will review the efficiency of the PTI in six months once it is fully functional and all the agreements with operators are in place. It is also investigating additional holding spaces.
Residents of Lourens, Church, Reits and Fagan streets penned a letter to the City, stating that when they first read about the R65 million taxi rank opening, they breathed a sigh of relief as they had hoped it would bring positive change to the area.
Pre-existing problems continue
The letter states that for more than two years the residents hoped that no taxis will block the intersection of Reitz and Lourens streets, but this apparently continues to cause many an argument and frustration. Furthermore, deafening music continues to play, in some instances cracking house windows, and Lourens Street is still being used as a holding area for minibus taxis.
There are also complaints of littering, public indecency, intimidation and a lack of safety for pedestrians crossing the mentioned streets. “All we hoped for was that the peace and quiet in this area will be restored as before the PTI was built on our doorstep,” the letter reads.
“Our complaints to law enforcement authorities brought us no closer to a solution.”
According to Rob Quintas, Mayoral Committee member for Urban Mobility, the City only received a complaint days before it received DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette’s media enquiry. The complaint centred on some minibus taxi drivers apparently not using the new facility, instead choosing to still operate on the periphery of the facility.
“We have escalated this to the Transport Enforcement Unit (TEU) who will take the necessary enforcement steps to prevent this,” Quintas assured.
Kevin Jacobs, spokesperson for the City’s Traffic Service, confirmed officers will patrol the area this week to address the expressed concerns.
“The traffic-related challenges at the PTI will be addressed by the Traffic Service’s operational deployment plan,” said Jacobs.
Responding to the complaints by some taxi drivers that the facility could have been better planned, Quintas insisted that the new PTI meets all requirements to be user-friendly to both commuters and public transport operators.
“The PTI was built to specification of the contract which is now complete. There are no outstanding elements left on this project,” he said
Shortage of space
Arthur Rhodes, secretary of the Somerset West District Taxi Association, said both advantages and disadvantages to the new PTI.
“The roofs are too high, and it doesn’t seem as if it will be effective on rainy days. Also, some space is very tight, but overall there’s been very positive feedback from commuters; they look happy with the new facility,” he said.
Rhodes added there is definitely a shortage of space for all the different taxi associations to comfortably use the PTI as a holding facility.
“I would say there’s maybe about 100 taxis that have no holding area, as the new PTI accommodates roughly 300 out of the 400 taxis that need to use the facility,” he explained.
Residents have also complained that bus drivers are still using St James Street as a holding space.
However, Quintas said holding and loading spaces are provided for Golden Arrow Bus Services at the PTI, adding the bus company will have to review its operational plan to be in-line with the available space at the facility.
“Additional holding spaces are being investigated,” said Quintas.
