More than 300 minibus taxis blocked High Street, Worcester off this morning (24 March) to hand a memorandum with grievances over to the Mayor of the Breede Valley, Antoinette Steyn.

“A baby will cry until its mother comforts it,” Charl Jacobs of the Worcester United Taxi Association (WUTA) told her and Municipal Manager David McThomas on the steps of the municipal offices, where taxi owners and drivers were gathered. “And that is why we are here. We’ve been crying but no-one has responded. We have been forced into taking these measures.”

He said repeated requests for meetings with her and McThomas had fallen on deaf ears. “We are law-abiding citizens and did not want things to go this far. We’ve repeatedly asked for meetings to discuss our grievances.” The taxis were orderly and the protest well-organised, with police and traffic officers keeping a watchful eye.One of WUTA’s main concerns was that the taxi ranks in Worcester cannot accommodate all the vehicles needed to transport commuters. When the taxis park anywhere else they are fined. “After six years and 11 meetings with the municipality to prepare a taxi rank in the open space near Bravo Taxi Rank, set to accommodate all taxis, nothing has happened. We were told money was allocated, but nothing came of it.”

One taxi operator told Standard one taxi rank, which can accommodate only 25 vehicles, is being used by more than a 100. Thousands of commuters rely on these transport services to get to and from work, hospitals, shops or to visit family.

WUTA also asked for offices and bathroom facilities, as drivers and commuters had to relieve themselves in the streets or in bushes as no public bathrooms were available. “This takes away our human dignity,” Jacobs said.

Security lights at the ranks in Zwelethemba, Rawsonville, Tulbagh and Villiersdorp were also requested for safety reasons.

“Our liaison meetings are crucial for the taxi industry, as this is where we discuss the need and make plans for transport. Municipal directors are, however, absent.”

WUTA said it wanted an answer in 14 days, or they will be back on the municipality’s doorstep.

The Mayor accepted the memorandum, saying the municipality would provide a formal response to WUTA within this period. She commended the taxi operators for the important role they played in serving the residents of the Breede Valley and especially for prioritising passenger safety.

The municipality indicated it would release an official statement on the memorandum in due course.