Local News
Video: Bloemfontein taxirank is still a white elephant─── 16:40 Wed, 02 Oct 2013
Refilwe Mekoa
Talks between taxi drivers and Mangaung Metro Municipality are becoming more crucial and sensitive. A taxi driver alleges that the municipality refuses to sign the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU).
He told OFM that it is one of the main reasons that both parties struggle to reach an agreement.
It is alleged that the municipality promised the taxi industry to the sign the MOU during implementation talks of the new rank and now things might have changed. He also stated that the next deadline will be on 15 October.
On Monday new Bloemfontein Taxi Association executives will be elected. Earlier this morning it was unclear whether taxis drivers will be using Bloemfontein's rank in the CBD.
The deadline of 1 October, for the rank to be in full use was set by Mangaung Metro mayor Thabo Manyoni in July.
He then said taxi drivers WILL use the rank whether they like it or not.
Municipal spokesperson Qondile Khedama says the matter is very sensitive and will respond later.
After three weeks of using the rank in 2011, drivers were unhappy with the congestion at the entrance and exit. The R400 million rank has since remained a white elephant.
