Cape Town – The City says it will resume its Dial-a-Ride and MyCiTi services in Hout Bay as of Wednesday and that there will be a strong police and law enforcement presence in the area.
This after violence erupted in the area on Monday when a MyCiTi bus was petrol-bombed and other buses and private cars were stoned in and around Suikerbossie and Hout Bay Gateway Circle.
The unrest follows a crackdown by local law enforcement in impounding illegal and unroadworthy taxis.
The City said it met with the Hout Bay Taxi Association (HBTA) on Tuesday to discuss the association’s grievances and to determine a way forward.
The City said the association indicated it was struggling with its renewal applications to the provincial regulatory entity (PRE).
“The City has requested the association to provide a receipt and the renewal application reference number for every renewal application that has been made and is still outstanding. The City will then investigate these renewal applications and liaise directly with the PRE to try and resolve these applications.”
The City has also requested the association to bring forward every rejected application and supporting documentation in order for the City to investigate the reasons for these rejections.
“These rejections could be based on factors such as Sars (SA Revenue Service) compliance or roadworthy vehicle issues, but the municipality has promised to investigate each one with the PRE.”
Another issue that was raised was inactive operating licences, the City said.
“These are operating licences that have not been cancelled by the association for various reasons. The cancelling of inactive operating licences is the responsibility of the HBTA in conjunction with the PRE and the provincial taxi registrar (PTR).
“The City is urging the association to deal with these inactive operating licences as soon as possible in order for the PRE to process the cancellation of these; for the PTR to de-register the member where an operating licence has been cancelled; and as a result, freeing up more operating licences for the area,” the City said.
With reference to the association’s grievances regarding the MyCiTi bus service, the HBTA does not want MyCiTi buses operating in Hout Bay and wants the City to provide the MyCiTi bus service up until Llandudno only, the City said.
“These are unrealistic demands on the City. It cannot be considered in any way and would be contradicting what I have always said… that Capetonians need to be spoilt for choice when it comes to various modes of public transport,” said Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas.
“There is no, and has never been, an embargo on Amaphela or minibus-taxis operating in Hout Bay. Any legal and permitted taxi can still continue to operate in the area,” said Quintas.
The matter of compensation related to the roll-out of Phase 1 of the MyCiTi service is currently on the Western Cape High Court roll.
Cape Times