BUFFALO City Metro executive mayor, Princess Faku, officially opened the rejuvenated Ebuhlanti Taxi Rank for business following the much-anticipated completion of construction work.
The official opening of the newly revitalised Ebuhlanti Taxi Rank in East London was attended by Buffalo City Metro councillors, local taxi association representatives, taxi owners/operators, and Buffalo City hawkers’ association representatives.
The Metro council decided to refurbish the taxi rank in an attempt to ensure safety and security following several acts of theft, vandalism, and other related criminal activities occurring inside the taxi rank premises.
The taxi rank is reserved for use by taxi operators to transport commuters and hawkers from rural Tsholomnqa, a vast area comprising several villages along the R72 route outside East London.
The revamped taxi rank now boasts newly constructed ablution blocks, five kitchen stalls, an upgraded taxi parking area, two storage units, and 22 hawker stalls.
Speaking during the taxi rank’s official opening, Faku urged taxi operators and hawkers to keep the rank clean and protect it from acts of theft and vandalism.
“Firstly, I would like to thank taxi operators and hawkers for your patience and the good working relations we had during the construction phase of this project as we are in a campaign of keeping our City clean,” said Faku.
Local taxi association representative, Gabs Mtshala, said taxi operators have a responsibility to keep the rank clean, adding that criminal activities, including theft and vandalism, will not be tolerated.
Buffalo City Hawkers’ Association chairperson, Nobuntu Mafanya, thanked the Metro for upgrading the taxi rank’s facilities.
