The City of Cape Town will, within the next seven weeks, commence with the construction of a new minibus-taxi facility in Masiphumelele. Residents, minibus-taxi operators, and other interested parties are invited to attend two open days where the Transport and Urban Development Authority will share information about the new facility.
The two open days are being hosted at the Masiphumelele Community Hall on the corner of Skina and Myeza Roads today, 23 March 2018 from 14:00 to 19:00; and tomorrow, 24 March 2018 from 10:00 to 15:00.
‘I urge our residents from Masimphumelele to attend the open days so that they can see what we envision for this site. We will have drawings on hand, and officials will assist in answering questions. I am also glad to say that we have had fruitful engagements with the Masiphumelele Taxi Association and the local leadership the past few months in preparation for this important development,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Area South, Councillor Eddie Andrews.
The new facility will be built on a section of land situated on the corner of Kommetjie and Pokela Roads, adjacent to where the minibus-taxis are currently operating from.
‘If all goes as planned, the contractor will be on site in May. The City is investing approximately R13,8 million in this new facility for the minibus-taxi operators and, more importantly, for the nearly 3 300 commuters who will be departing from this interchange to their destinations in Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek, Kommetjie, and Noordhoek,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport and Urban Development, Councillor Brett Herron.
The minibus-taxi operators are currently operating from Erf 1728 – a vacant erf with no services or facilities for commuters and operators. Local residents are exposed to the elements while they are waiting for taxis, and there are no ablution facilities or safe walkways.
The new minibus-taxi facility will provide residents with a safe and dignified area for waiting and connecting with their fellow commuters.
‘An administration building will be constructed where operators and management can conduct meetings. Drop-off and pick-up facilities will be provided with roofed coverings, and universally accessible walking lanes will provide safe and easy access to the facility. Apart from ablution facilities, we will also create a waiting area for commuters travelling long distance,’ said Councillor Andrews.
The upgrade of the stormwater system in Pokela Road to help prevent the flooding of the road is part of the project.
‘The facility will be equipped with a rooftop solar photo-voltaic (PV) panel system for electricity generation. We will sink a borehole for non-potable water uses at the facility, and then we will also collect rainwater from the roof which will be stored in tanks,’ said Councillor Herron.
The new minibus-taxi facility will accommodate about 60 minibus-taxis and will serve four destinations, including Fish Hoek, Kommetjie, Simon’s Town and Noordhoek.
‘I am confident that the local community will benefit significantly from this investment and that it will help to improve the quality of life of our residents in Masiphumelele,’ said Councillor Herron.
Local subcontractors and residents from Masiphumelele who need temporary work opportunities are urged to register at the local subcouncil office.
‘The contractor for this project is obliged to provide temporary employment opportunities to a number of local residents whose names are on the subcouncil database, and the same applies to local subcontractors for goods and services. It is therefore very important that those interested in these opportunities ensure that their names are on the database as this is the only source from which the contractor will draw names,’ said Councillor Andrews.