KNYSNA NEWS - In order to solve the ongoing problem of finding a suitable space for taxis in Knysna, the municipality has created a temporary holding facility behind the fire department in Knysna.
The municipality entered into a 12-month agreement with Transnet to use the piece of land, coming into effect in August 2020 and valid until July next year.
This is the second attempt by the municipality to create such a facility. Its first attempt last year was put on hold after Knysna residents signed a petition against a temporary taxi holding facility that was planned on an environmentally sensitive property adjacent to the lagoon.
More than 8 000 people signed the petition.
Knysna Municipality spokesperson Christopher Bezuidenhoudt said the tender has been awarded to B&V Contractors and the site was handed over on 10 November. "This is a temporary taxi holding facility. Licensed operators will make use of the facility and wait for their turn to be called to the main taxi rank in the central business district (CBD) as soon as space is available," he said. The anticipated project period will be three months and they expect the project to be finalised by 31 January 2021.
DA Ward 10 Councillor Peter Bester said in a Facebook post last month that businesses in the area had instituted legal proceedings against Knysna Municipality for not providing a proper taxi holding area. "Taxis are currently parking all over New Street and surrounds, causing disruption to most businesses. The municipality is under legal obligation to now provide a facility for the taxis. Several properties were considered, but for various reasons they could not be utilised. It was decided that a lease agreement be entered into with Transnet in August this year to July 2021," he said.
Bester said B&V Construction was awarded the tender to prepare the ground to accommodate 80 parking bays on an asphalt base, provide four ablution facilities in the form of portable toilets and fence off the area.
"Work commenced in November and was expected to be completed by 15 December. I have noted that no provision is made for a water point to be utilised by the taxis and I have raised this with the municipality, as currently the taxis vandalise hydrants and businesses' taps to get water," he said. Bester said Knysna Municipality still needs to find a permanent solution to the taxi holding problem.
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
