The City of Tshwane is pleased with the progressive undertaking with the local taxi industry to form a joint committee to create a clean, decongested and crime-free Tshwane.
The collaboration to decongest the inner city is coordinated through a joint committee which meets weekly and is led by the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) in conjunction with Tshwane taxi industry leadership from the Greater Tshwane Regional Taxi Council (GTRTC) and the Tshwane Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (TGNTA).
Due to its unique physical, spatial, road network and economic characteristics, Tshwane has inadvertently experienced an influx of minibus taxis to the inner city. This, combined with normal city traffic, has resulted in traffic congestion challenges within the Pretoria CBD, particularly during peak hours. This traffic congestion has led to undesirable consequences in most parts of the Pretoria CBD, which warranted this joint intervention.
While this venture is still a work in progress, streets such as Lilian Ngoyi and Bloed Street are already showing evidence of the joint efforts. The minibus taxis which were randomly holding on the road reserves and in the streets in the Pretoria CBD are being moved to dedicated holding areas to lessen traffic congestion. This started with engagements with the drivers concerned and the various Tshwane taxi associations.
Many large and medium cities in the country, specifically CBDs, are facing traffic congestion issues, however, here in Tshwane we are committed to finding a sustainable solution. Furthermore, I am pleased that the local taxi industry is on board and will work with us going forward to decongest our inner city.