THE refurbished Vereeniging Taxi Rank was handed over to taxi operators and the community on Friday, 11 August.
Gauteng Transport and Logistics MEC, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela handed over the first phase of the intermodal facility to the people of Vereeniging and surrounding areas.
Diale-Tlabela said phase one of the project, undertaken at a cost of R30 million, commenced in December 2022 and the work completed consisted of refurbishing the existing taxi rank to include new hawker stalls, loading shelters and ablution facilities.
She said handing over of the taxi rank is critical in turning Vereeniging into an economic development hub and also serves as a symbol of government's commitment to fast-track the delivery of road infrastructure in the province.
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"The facility is planned to be expanded into a modernised intermodal facility incorporating retail space, long-distance buses and train station, thus promoting government’s priorities of improving the standard of living in townships and improving economic growth and recovery," she said.
"The department has committed itself to deliver transport infrastructure projects to restore and grow the economy, provide access to economic and much-needed job opportunities to the people of the province."
Diale-Tlabela urged the community and the taxi industry to take care of the facility and not vandalise it.
“I would like to urge everyone to take good care of this property and avoid vandalism, especially when protesting. This facility is here to service the community," she said.
"The intermodal facility will go a long way in improving the lives of township people by supporting local businesses and informal trading industry in Vereeniging. It will further facilitate the provision of a safe, accessible, convenient public transport system."
