Cape Town - The highly contested B97 minibus taxi route between Mbekweni in Paarl and Bellville in the Western Cape will remain closed for a further four months.
This as no agreement has been reached between conflicting taxi associations, the local Paarl Alliance Taxi Association, which is affiliated to Codeta, and Cata Boland.
Both associations claim rights to operate along the route.
In July 2021, a number of taxi-related shootings took place along the affected route, with many people, including passengers, being killed or wounded.
According to Transport MEC Daylin Mitchell, representatives of the taxi industry and authorities did not reach an agreement on May 23.
“Tensions between the conflicting taxi associations in the proposed declared areas have continued. A number of violent incidents, including murders, have occurred and are being investigated as part of the conflict between the taxi associations.
“Violence, unrest and/or instability in the taxi industry continue in the proposed declared areas, or between operators in those areas, which have led to the safety of passengers using the relevant services, residents or any other persons entering those areas, deteriorating to an unacceptable level. This extension is therefore necessary to stabilise the situation,” said Mitchell.
In terms of the Transport Contingency Plan that was drawn up at the start of the closure period, Golden Arrow Bus trips will remain in operation between Bellville and Paarl to transport commuters.
“I have consulted with the relevant planning authorities in the affected areas, and they agree with the proposed measures,” Mitchell said.
Cape Times