City of Windhoek to construct 295 taxi stops
A dire shortage of taxi stops not only leads to friction between taxi drivers and other road users, it also causes taxis to fall foul of the law. The shortage of taxi stops in the Central Business District has forced many taxi drivers to continue to use the taxi stop in front of the old M&Z building despite it being closed by the City of Windhoek. (Photograph by Lorato Khobetsi)
According to the City’s Manager of Corporate Communications and Customer Care, Joshua Amukugo, to be able to respond to the travel demands of the city residents, the City Council has recognised the need to establish new taxi stops and upgrade the existing stops in and around the city.
He said, representatives from the City’s Traffic Division, Planning and Public Transport and NABTA went out to investigate and inspect many sites to assess the viability and exact locations of the new taxi stops. This reconnaissance resulted in the identification of 295 sites including the existing taxi stops as demarcated taxi stop sites.
“Every financial year, the City Council allocates the budget for every department, which is then allocated to different divisions within the department. This money will come from the Public Transport Division’s annual budget. The division has made a budgetary provision for the construction of taxi stops. Supervision of the construction will be done by the City of Windhoek Unit Contractors,” he said.
explaining that the City has advertised a tender for the construction of the taxi stops and that selection of the successful tenderer and implementation will be done before the end of September.
Sites identified for the construction of taxi stops are Katutura proper, Okuryangava, Hakahana, Havana, Goreagab, Wanaheda, Khomasdal, Ojimuise, Rocky Crest, Dorado Park, Hochland Park, Pionierspark, Academia,UNAM, Prosperita, Cimbebasia, Olympia, Suiderhof, Kleine Kuppe, Southern Industrial Area, Eros, Klein Windhoek, Central Business District (CBD), Windhoek West, Windhoek North, Northern Industrial Area and Lafrenz Township.
Amukugo drew attention to the City’s new initiative to redesign urban transport system.
“The City of Windhoek and the Ministry of Works and Transport with their determination to change course in urban transport planning, and to improve public and non-motorised transport systems, are developing the “Sustainable Urban Transport Master Plan for Windhoek”, which is anticipated to be finalised by the middle of next year. The sustainable master plan should entail practical recommendations and strategies on how to make public transport efficient and effective in the short, medium and long term.” he said.
