Central SA
Bloemfontein taxi rank remains white elephant─── LUCKY NKUYANE 11:01 Wed, 26 Oct 2022
The Free State premier met with various Taxi Associations on Tuesday 25 October to discuss troubling issues amidst the multi-million white elephant taxi rank in the Bloemfontein saga, which remains non-operational for more than a decade now.
ALSO READ: Bfn taxi rank lease agreement 'history in the making
In 2019, the metro signed a 30-year lease agreement for the R400 million Bloemfontein taxi rank with the Greater Bloemfontein Taxi Association through its entity, the Free State Taxi Association. However, R50 million was needed to further construct the controversial taxi rank.
ALSO READ: Millions needed for white elephant taxi rank in Bloemfontein
The taxi rank has been non-operational since its completion around 2011 and soon after its completion, taxi operators refused to use it due to structural issues.
According to Premier Sisi Ntombela's spokesperson, Palesa Chubisi, Ntombela, flanked by her Director-General, Kopung Ralikontsane, and MEC for Transport, William Bulwane, met with leaders of different taxi associations across the province where various issues were raised during the deliberations.
Chubisi says during the discussions on Tuesday, parties agreed that temporary operating permits are scrapped and taxi operators will be issued with permanent permits by the end of December this year.
In 2019, disgruntled taxi operators in Bloemfontein brought chaos to the streets of the city centre, protesting against a well-known bus liner in the Free State. Operators alleged that they were treated unfairly by the traffic officials and felt targeted.
One of the operators, who opted to remain anonymous, told OFM News at the time that the law enforcement agencies only impound their vehicles and ignore the buses from this company. He said for years they have been pleading with relevant structures in the local and provincial government to help deal with their issues but their cries have not been attended to by these structures.
ALSO READ: Bloemfontein taxi operators shut down city centre
Chubisi adds that Ntombela told officials of different taxi associations that they were grateful that, unlike in other provinces, there has been relative peace in the taxi industry and they would like to keep it that way. "We therefore must act and stand firm against lawlessness in the taxi industry, which we view as a very important sector in the economy”.
