Construction of the multi-million rand Somerset West Public Transport Interchange (PTI) in the Somerset West CBD has made significant progress over the last several months and will approach completion early next year.
Providing an update on the current construction phase, Councillor Rob Quintas, Mayoral Committee member for Urban Mobility, said most of the work is complete, with asphalting, landscaping, building finishes and mosaics still outstanding.
“Inclement weather caused some delays, as such, the current revised provisional completion date is 22 March 2024,” he said.
Construction of the facility commenced in January last year and is expected to transform the CBD with multiple benefits for commuters, pedestrians, public transport operators and traders.
Initial issues with the temporary holding area and traffic-related congestion caused an outcry among residents, (“Somerset West PTI development causes taxi chaos”, District Mail & Helderberg Gazette, 2 November 2022), but has since been resolved.
“Small teething issues were experienced when the area was set up,” Quintas said, “but these have been addressed and we are not aware of any other major issue around the holding area.”
He added the facility was designed to accommodate the existing passenger demand of approximately 4 100 trips per day, and this will mostly increase over time, also as a result of the current upgrades.
Quintas also clarified that the upgrade provides a limited number of trading structures for use by informal traders.
Elaborating on this, and in response to concerns that many informal trading spaces appear to favour foreign nationals, Mayco member for Economic Growth Alderman James Vos said foreign nationals who are formally documented to live and work in South Africa (that is, proof of identification as well as a valid work permit) are allowed to obtain trading permits and trade in their designated trading areas.
“Once the trading plan has been gazetted and trading bays loaded on the City map viewer and linked to internal systems, bays will be advertised,” he pointed out.
“Traders would need to register on the City’s e-services platform to view available and advertised bays.”
