Taxi alliance asks for more lanes
POTHOLES, lack of roads and impatient passengers are some of the issues that affect road safety.
These were among the challenges highlighted by taxi association representatives who attended the City of Tshwane’s road safety campaign in Hammanskraal yesterday.
The campaign, called TshwaAlert, was launched in February to focus on sustaining law enforcement efforts throughout the year as opposed to during the festive season periods and long weekends.
John Nkuna, who chairs 10 taxi associations within the Hammanskraal area, said their operators were aware of the dangers of reckless driving on commuters and themselves.
Nkuna, however, implored city representatives to deal with the poor state of the roads, look into creating parking stations and the establishment of drop-off points.
“We know that driving on the yellow lane is dangerous but our drivers have to contend with passengers constantly telling them that they are running late for work.
“All we ask is for additional lanes to be built in the area. If we had at least two extra lanes, that could help ease traffic in our community,” he said.
Tshwane metro police department spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba highlighted that they had received numerous complaints of taxis operating in Lynnwood, Centurion and the Mabopane Highway using the yellow lanes.
MMC for housing Mandla Nkomo, standing in for his roads and transport counterpart Sheila Senkubuge, applauded the taxi representatives for being able to voice their frustrations during their march last Thursday without resorting to violence.
“The future of this country is in your hands because you ferry so many of our people. Taxi drivers and owners deserve respect from everyone because the perception created that they are violent is not true.”
Community safety MMC Derek Kissundooth warned that hefty fines would be imposed on those found on the wrong side of the law.
“Most of the accidents are caused by absolute stupidity and we cannot allow that to continue to happen. People must follow the rules,” Kissundooth said.