Cape Town - With a major revamp on the cards for the Wynberg Public Transport Interchange (PTI), at least one taxi organisation operating in the area has voiced safety concerns around the planned upgrade.
Last week the City announced that public comments for the PTI will open on November 7 until December 9 with plans to alleviate congestion at the “rundown” facility where an estimated 48 000 commuters currently pass through.
Spokesperson for the Two Oceans Regional Taxi Council, Amien Carlsen said while plans to alleviate congestion would be welcomed, there were concerns relating to the provision of just one loading area.
“We are very concerned around disputes that could and will arise if about six mother bodies are tossed into one area.
“We have seen what has happened at Bellville and the deck. As the taxi industry we are already marked as the bad apples of the public transport sector, but they know what their plan is and it’s a plan geared at anti-taxi and pro-My-Citi,” said Carlsen.
According to Carlsen, with the interchange currently divided with a split along the railway line, it provides ease of access to commuters and drivers.
“In Wynberg (violence) has largely been avoided due to the fact that the loading areas are split according to the routes.
“In Wynberg (violence) has largely been avoided due to the fact that the loading areas are split according to the routes.
“The Wynberg interchange is an integral link between various Cape Flats routes and we call on the City officials to better consult and not only meet with us for the sake of completing legal checks.
We are calling for proper public consultation to create an interchange that is not only functional, but safe and clean for all our commuters. We are on board for a revamp as it is definitely needed but with the one stacking, that is not feasible,” said Carlsen.
The City last week announced the concept for the Wynberg PTI where about 48 000 commuters, 1 500 minibus-taxis and GABS buses make use of the facility.
Mayco member for Urban Mobility Rob Quintas said the concept had been presented to the local sub-council.
“With the imminent upgrade of the PTI comes a substantial capital injection that will have an immediate impact on the Wynberg CBD and surrounding neighbourhood. This will spur much-needed rejuvenation in conjunction with the provision of world-class public transport facilities.
“Given that the concept design must still be finalised after public consultation, we do not know as yet the exact budget to be allocated to the new facility, but it will halt the urban decay that has affected this part of the Wynberg CBD for a long time. I trust the minibus taxi operators will welcome the plan as the new facilities will bring order and flow to their operations, saving them time and money,” said Quintas.
The concept design for the refurbished PTI proposes two minibus-taxi facilities which includes upgraded facilities to be located to the north and east of the Wynberg railway station, a new facility with two levels located between Brisbane Road and Morom Road, bordering Wetton and Broad Roads. The ground level of the facility is for minibus taxis serving the Cape Town CBD and the upper level is for minibus taxis.
Cape Times