An embayment constructed in Rothschild Boulevard, Panorama which is meant for buses and minibus-taxis have been met with some resistance by residents.
The idea behind the embayment is for buses and minibus-taxis to drop off passengers, mostly workers and students, who travel to their place of employment.
However, several residents feel that the process to have it built is flawed and claim that no public consultation had been conducted prior to the construction.
Last month TygerBurger received several emails from disgruntled residents regarding the matter, one of them was from PWP Neighbourhood Watch spokesperson Roxanne La Vita.
“Even before the new embayment was proposed, taxis have been illegally ranking along Plattekloof Road for the last few years.
“We have seen how the City continues to excuse the illegal use of Plattekloof Road as a rank by claiming the Parow taxi-rank is ‘too far’ – an argument that is simply not credible.
“The embayment under construction does nothing to address this core problem.
“There is an existing embayment on the opposite side of Rothschild Boulevard, initially intended for stop-and-go use, yet taxis permanently park there and if it is full, the other taxis will just stop in the road blocking traffic. This demonstrates that infrastructure alone, without proper enforcement, is ineffective and dangerous,” La Vita wrote.
She said there is “disregard for public input” and added that no public consultation had taken place prior to the construction of the embayment.
“Subcouncil approval of this project did not represent residents, and the process lacked transparency and meaningful consultation. This is inconsistent with constitutional requirements for public participation,” she highlighted under their key concerns.
Project should be halted
PWP requested that the embayment project be halted until proper consultation had been conducted, that the City enforces traffic and public safety rules on Plattekloof Road and that alternative, safer options for public transport access be considered.
During a visit to the area, one taxi driver who did not want to be identified, confirmed that the new embayment is only used as a drop-off facility, and that the taxis do not park there permanently. He also said that the taxi’s on Plattekloof Road do not have permits for transporting commuters in the area.
La Vita’s concerns were echoed by fellow resident Seb Lalloo. “In terms of the municipal systems act, they are required to consult with the community regarding the proposed embayment. However, construction has already begun and no consultation has taken place,” he wrote.
Willem Voges, another resident, also expressed his concerns, objecting to the embayment. He said there was no transparency nor public consultation.
City responds
The City was approached for clarity regarding the claims of lack of transparency and public consultation, to which Rob Quintas, Mayco member for urban mobility responded.
“The embayment is not in front of a residential property, but is being constructed in the road reserve which is managed by the urban mobility directorate in the interest of all Capetonians, including public transport users.
“The City would have considered a public participation process if there were alternative options, such as moving the embayment a meter or two from the proposed location. In this instance, however, there is no alternative location, and as such, the public was not requested to comment but were informed of the implementation work,” Quintas said.
Site of embayment questioned
He was also asked why the decision was taken to build the embayment at this particular site.
“The embayment was created in the road reserve (at the Mediclinic Panorama) to provide a safe and legal area for minibus-taxis to drop off their passengers in the morning peak period. Failing to provide this infrastructure will force the minibus-taxis to stop in the road which will pose a serious safety risk to commuters, to the minibus-taxi drivers, and other road users, will increase congestion, will impede traffic flow, and may cause accidents.
“It is important to note that this is not a minibus-taxi rank (holding space). It is a legal, convenient and safe point where students and hospital staff can be dropped off safely, and without impacting traffic flow,” Quintas said.
The construction of the embayment commenced on 20 August and was completed on 26 September.
The cost of this embayment is included in the City’s budget for improvements to public transport infrastructure, said Quintas.
In response to the minibus-taxis parking on Plattekloof Road illegally and allegations that nothing is being done to address the issue, Maxine Bezuidenhout, spokesperson for the City’s traffic services, offered an explanation.
“The City’s traffic services received thousands of complaints monthly about traffic transgressions. Given the size of the metro, the volume of complaints and the many demands on our service, officers are not always able to respond immediately.
“In this year to date, there have been three operations after complaints about Plattekloof Road, resulting in the issuing of 161 fines for various transgressions and the impoundment of four public transport vehicles,” Bezuidenhout said.
