WC transport authority brings in more buses to accommodate commuter demand amid taxi route shutdown

The Western Cape transport authority has increased buses to accommodate commuter demand amid a taxi route shutdown in Cape Town.

It's been a week since the provincial mobility department closed taxi routes and specified lanes at ranks between Mfuleni and Khayelitsha to Somerset West due to deadly attacks.

The Western Cape government closed 10 routes between Mfuleni, Khayelitsha and Somerset West for 30 days.

Under this shutdown, five specified lanes at ranks are also out of service.

At least 10 operators and commuters have been shot dead or wounded in attacks linked to a dispute over these routes between taxi associations CATA and CODETA.

Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said that no incidents had been reported, apart from the impoundment of at least six mini-bus taxis for illegally operating on the closed routes, last week.

"Due to the demand, we have increased the capacity to carry more passengers on our alternative transport services with additional Golden Arrow buses. This is to ensure that commuters arrive at their destination safely and efficiently. Our monitoring systems are in place and the situation on the affected roads and lanes remains calm."

Sileku was due to meet with the warring associations last week, but that meeting was called off at the last minute, following the murder of a 61-year-old taxi boss in Browns Farm.

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