Bay in Smart City move with free WiFi at rank
A project aimed at positioning Nelson Mandela Bay as a Smart City has enabled taxi rank users at the Greenacres Shopping Centre to link up to free Wi-Fi in the area.
The project, initiated by Project Nelson Mandela Bay in partnership with internet service provider Amobia, has been warmly welcomed by taxi commuters.
Managing director and events task team head for Project Nelson Mandela Bay, Nicola Smith, said the initiative had been set up as a trial in June and officially launched on Mandela Day.
Smith said: “Project Nelson Mandela Bay’s connected city task team had the initiative and worked with Amobia Communications to give back to the community.
“We identified a need at the taxi rank.
“Commuters, including school children, have to often wait for extended periods for transport and, while they are waiting, that time can be spent researching, job searching or doing homework.”
Smith said the connection would be permanently available to the public and would remain free.
Asked why the taxi rank had been chosen, Smith said it fell within the immediate community.
“It is a site that we feel benefits our direct community. It was also chosen due to the safety of the site for the users.
“[We found people] feel comfortable using their devices in this area as opposed to other unsafe areas where devices are not used in public.”
Most commuters, while happy about the initiative, said they had been unaware of it.
Qaqambha Mdliva, 29, said there should be signs saying the rank was a free Wi-Fi zone.
“It’s my first time hearing about it. I usually spend about 30 minutes at the bus stop [and] now I could use the time to do some research on my device.
“I do, however, think having posters or even notices in the paper would help alert people.”
Luzuko Mbekela, 22, who connected immediately, shared the same view.
“I was not aware that there was free Wi-Fi available,” he said
“I will make use of it from today – as I spend a long time waiting for a taxi to go home.”
Nomathamsanqa Dingiswayo, 29, said her device was being repaired but she would definitely use the Wi-Fi.
“However, I do hope it is free and won’t have complications like other free Wi-Fi.”
‘l will make use of it from today – as I spend a long time waiting for a taxi home’ Luzuko Mbekela
TAXI COMMUTER