Bloed Street mall, taxi rank opened

The new “taxi-mall”, stretches between Bloed and Boom Streets and Andries and Prinsloo Streets in the city centre and will facilitate smoother taxi and shopping services to residents.

“The development comes after it was realised that the previous taxi rank on Bloed Street was inadequate. Commuters, taxi operators and traders alike had to deal with congestion and unsafe, often unsanitary, conditions,” said the city in a statement on Friday.

The new taxi-mall will accommodate about 57 informal traders in the formalised trading sector, with the aim of empowering them to move to larger shops.

There will also be ample ablution facilities, overnight parking for taxis and on-site safety and emergency services and a fitment centre which will also assist taxi drivers with any repairs needed.

Another advantage, the city said is that the facility will be able to accommodate up to 572 of the ‘old' taxis and 458 of the new recapitalisation taxis.

"This will reduce congestion caused by these vehicles on Van Der Walt, Boom and Bloed Streets and make the entire area safer for motorists and commuters alike,” said the city, adding that the structure of the mall's operation will also allow for more visible policing and law enforcement.

During construction, 3 500 jobs were created and a further 317 employment opportunities will be created by the tenants.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews