Dear Editor
The DA in the Western Cape welcomes the Provincial Transport Department’s announcement that the B97 route between Mbekweni (Paarl) and Bellville will resume on 25 September 2022, following a year-long temporary closure.
In July 2021, Minister Daylin Mitchell closed down all taxi operations on the B97 route between Paarl and Bellville. This followed a number of violent altercations and fatalities caused by conflicts over routes in the mini-bus taxi industry. Due to the manner the conflict had played out, the safety of passengers, commuters, drivers, and all road users had especially deteriorated. Now that the agreement’s terms have come to light, it is understood that operating licenses will be split equally (50/50) between CATA and CODETA and in accordance with the demand for services.
MPP Ricardo Mackenzie says, “I commend the Department of Transport and all involved stakeholders for arriving at this conclusion. I am hopeful that the agreement will ensure that the various taxi associations can work together in peace in order to provide uninterrupted services to commuters.
The DA in the Western Cape will continue to exert its efforts to promote cooperative relationships in the taxi industry that place the safety of commuters first.”
Reagards
Ricardo Mackenzie, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Transport
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