Alternative plans in place for CT commuters affected by taxi route closures

CAPE TOWN - Alternative plans are in place to cushion the blow for taxi commuters who will be affected by a number of rank and route closures, as from Wednesday.

After more taxi-related fatal shooting incidents this week, Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku on Friday announced the closure of ten taxi routes.

Some specified lanes at some taxi ranks will also be closed from 17 September for a period of 30 days.

The affected areas are Khayelitsha, Makhaza, Mfuleni, Somerset West, Nomzamo and Lwandle.

Several people have been killed and injured, with the latest shooting claiming the life of a CATA official at the Nyanga taxi rank earlier this week.

Sileku said that authorities, including the SAPS, City of Cape Town law enforcement and provincial traffic would work together to ensure the extraordinary measures put in place were fully enforced.

"To ensure mobility during this period, alternative transport arrangements have been made. Golden Arrow Bus Services and Metrorail will provide additional capacity to assist residents in getting to work and learners getting to school, especially during this crucial time where we have 39 days before our final exams for our matriculants in this province."

Sileku said he firmly believes these actions, difficult as they are, were necessary to secure safety, restore calm, and create space for a long-term resolution.

"We want people to resolve issues without using guns but talking and that’s why we are saying to the industry, we have not abandoned the talks, we have reached out, we have met with the industry and affected parties more than 15 times, about 16 times."