About 106 minibus taxi operators from six different taxi associations who applied for operating licenses to and from Brackengate Industrial, were given the go-ahead by provincial minister of mobility, Ricardo Mackenzie.
Positive decision letters were given to the taxi operators by Mckenzie at a handover on the Brackengate route on Tuesday 20 June.
This follows extensive developement in the area that has created an influx of job opportunities.
Task team appointed
McKenzie said the milestone marks a successful outcome for the Minibus Taxi Task Team established by him in February.
The task team comprises representatives from the Western Cape Government and City of Cape Town, together with the leadership of the South African National Taxi Council in the Western Cape (Santaco-WC). According to Mackenzie, the aim of the task team, which meets regularly, is to work together to address specific challenges faced by the minibus taxi industry so people can get to work with safe, affordable and reliable transport.
At the hand over he said the new operating licenses will better serve citizens and the economy while staving off tensions in the industry.
“I am thrilled that the task team has enabled this significant breakthrough on the long-awaited Brackengate operating licences. By putting our heads together as provincial and local government, and working with the industry, this progress will ultimately improve mobility options for commuters.”
Operators can obtain their operating licenses on the same day after producing their licensed vehicles, head of the ministry Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka, said to TygerBurger last week.
According to her the routes to and from the area differ.
“Licences were issued to various associations who transport passengers from various areas. This includes Belhar, Kraaifontein, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Bellville, and others.”
As part of the new route process, Subcouncil 2, in which the area falls, last year presented their comments to the Western Cape Government Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) on behalf of the Brackenfell community.
The comments expressed concerns about various issues such as rat-racing through the neighbourhoods and the lack of ranking facilities in the area, according to Subcouncil 2 chair Marian Nieuwoudt who made the presentation.
According to Makoba-Somdaka the subcouncil’s comments were carefully considered by the PRE prior to the decision, whereafter applications for operating licenses were submitted to the PR by the various associations. “The PRE is dutybound in terms of law to accept such applications and to follow the prescribed process. The applications were then published in the Government Gazette for public comment, but no objections were received. The applications were also referred to the City of Cape Town in its capacity as planning authority for directions in terms of its integrated transport plan. The applications were supported by the City.”
Comments, objections
Makoba-Somdaka told TygerBurger that the comments from all interested parties were considered, and in this case the need for services is the overriding criteria.
“As government we cannot turn a blind eye where there is a need for people to be transported. One of the objects of local government as per the South African Constitution is to provide services to communities in a sustainable manner. This includes public transport services to promote social and economic development.
She says the PRE was requested to ensure that passengers are only loaded and off-loaded along the main arterials and that no rat-runs are done through the residential areas. Moreover, a closer inspection of the approved routes has shown that spaces for boarding are clearly marked and that bays have been identified to load passengers along the main arterials.
“The PRE also facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement to address some of the other concerns raised by the subcouncil. Again, where there is a need for services government must ensure the available supply of legal vehicles that are subjected to certain safety standards,” she concluded.
